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Commission reviews snow‑and‑ice sidewalk ordinance and discusses liens, staffing limits
Summary
Commissioners and staff reviewed a council referral on section 2‑85‑17 (sidewalk snow/ice removal), discussed enforcement challenges and a pending city council order to use Massachusetts General Laws chapter 40U to place liens on noncompliant properties, and highlighted staffing limits for proactive enforcement.
The Transportation and Parking Commission considered a City Council order referring section 2‑85‑17 (the city’s snow‑and‑ice sidewalk removal ordinance) for advisory review, focusing on enforcement rather than substantive edits to the ordinance language.
A councilor who chaired the ordinance review committee told the commission the text appears well written but enforcement has proven difficult; the councilor said the mayor recommended an order to allow the city to place liens on properties that remain noncompliant. "It's Massachusetts General Laws chapter 40U, which would allow us to put a lien on properties that aren't in compliance," the councilor said.
Commissioners and staff discussed the practical constraints of enforcement. Chief of Police John Cartlidge said the department relies heavily on public reports and that officers’ rotating patrols and other call‑for‑service obligations limit proactive monitoring after storms. "We do rely heavily on people reporting unshoveled sidewalks after a storm," he said, noting occasional citations but limited capacity for follow‑up.
Donna Escalia, director of public works, described the city’s operational triage during snow events: clearing roadways to ensure emergency access is the first priority, followed by sidewalks and bike lanes. She said DPW lacks capacity to assume responsibility for private sidewalks with current staffing and would prefer an approach that combines outreach, targeted monitoring, and enforcement tools rather than relying solely on citations that can be contested in court.
Councilors suggested a mix of remedies including improved community outreach, proactive monitoring by DPW or enforcement partners in the days after a storm, and using administrative remedies (such as liens) to improve compliance and recover collection costs. The commission asked staff to summarize its comments and forward them to the council liaison to inform the council’s expected vote on the mayor’s order.
No ordinance changes were adopted Tuesday; the commission’s input will be transmitted to the City Council for further action.
