Council orders plan to prioritize snow removal at crosswalks, curb cuts and pedestrian islands after storm complaints

The Cambridge City Council directed the city manager on March 3 to develop a formal policy prioritizing removal of snow from crosswalks, pedestrian islands and curb cuts.

Public commenters described hazardous conditions after a recent snowstorm and freeze, reporting unpassable curb cuts and sidewalks that prevented seniors and people with mobility limitations from reaching crosswalks. Several speakers recounted falls and injuries and urged the city to take more responsibility for clearing public pedestrian infrastructure.

Councilors and staff discussed the balance between municipal clearing responsibilities and the existing ordinance that places primary sidewalk‑clearing responsibility on abutting property owners. Members also noted that street‑clearing operations and protected bike‑lane maintenance sometimes push plowed snow back onto sidewalks and curb cuts, creating additional hazards.

The council amended and adopted the order to instruct the city manager to prioritize crosswalks and pedestrian islands for the remainder of the snow season, to develop a standard operating procedure for future storms, and to coordinate with the Council on Aging and neighborhood groups to support residents who cannot clear sidewalks themselves. The council also added the mayor as a co‑sponsor.

The order passed with an affirmative vote of seven; two councilors were absent or recorded as present depending on procedural timing. Staff will return with a draft policy and recommendations for enforcement, outreach and possible use of supplemental resources to support prioritized clearing.