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LWVN urges approval of revised snow and ice removal ordinance

June 28, 2019

 

Text version

June 28, 2019

Mayor Ruthanne Fuller
City Council President Marc Laredo
Newton City Hall

Dear Mayor Fuller, President Laredo and members of the City Council:

The Board of the League of Women Voters of Newton urges the Mayor and the City Council to approve the revised provisions of Sec. 26-8D, Removal of snow and ice from sidewalks, and the addition of Sec. 17-23, Enforcing persons and revised ordinances subject to civil fine, of the Newton City Ordinances as passed Wednesday, June 19, by the Public Facilities and Public Safety & Transportation Committees.

We commend the addition of a clause to provide this ordinance with meaningful incentives for compliance by implementing fines. Since the Removal of Snow and Ice from Sidewalks ordinance has been in place, more sidewalks have been cleared and mobility throughout the City has been enhanced. However, we continue to see residential and business sidewalks blocked by snow or ice. Research in behavioral economics consistently finds experience with a fine significantly boosts future compliance. We believe that with education, a fine, and consistent enforcement, Newton will be able to maintain safe passage on sidewalks.

Since the goal of this ordinance is to clear city sidewalks, we support the creation of an effective mechanism that would help people who are unable to clear their own sidewalks due to health and/or financial factors rather than waiving fines, should they be implemented.

Strengthening this ordinance supports our City’s Energy Reduction Goals. Transportation accounts for at least 40% of Newton’s greenhouse gas emissions. Reliably safe sidewalks increase use of mass transit and pedestrian activity, reducing our reliance on automobiles for local transportation and our greenhouse gas production.

In addition, our sidewalks across the city are used by people walking dogs, delivering mail and packages, walking children to school, visiting neighbors, etc. We request you to make the ordinance permanent and to designate responsibility for enforcement, as quickly as possible, to protect our pedestrians and our environment.

Sincerely,

 

Marcia Johnson
President, League of Women Voters, Newton

Categories: Local Action Log

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

The League registers voters and educates them about the important issues and challenges facing Newto

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
Newton voters now have the option to vote early by mail in all elections, with no excuse required! All registered voters in Newton should have received their official 2023 Vote by Mail Application this week, in plenty of time to Vote by Mail in the Newton Special Election on the override proposal. Full details of how to vote by mail are here: www.newtonma.gov/government/elections/absentee-voting ... See MoreSee Less

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Join us for a conversation with Congressman Jake Auchincloss of the MA 4th District on Wednesday, Feb 15 at 7:30pm!Learn more at lwvnewton.org/event/congressmanauchincloss-feb2023/Register at bit.ly/talk-with-jake ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

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LWVN is again offering two scholarships to high school seniors in Newton! We are pleased to have increased our scholarship award for the class of 2023 to $2,000 each!Learn more at lwvnewton.org/lwvn-scholarship-program/Candidates should apply online at bit.ly/LWVNAPPLY23 Deadline extended to March 31, 2023! ... See MoreSee Less

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Election Day is one week away! Not sure what's on the ballot or how to vote in the midterm elections? Get your election questions answered at www.vote411.org and watch forums on the 4 Massachusetts ballot questions at lwvma.org/ballot-question-forums/ ... See MoreSee Less

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy.

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