Should Framingham Have a Sidewalk Shoveling Law?

Many towns have local bylaws when it comes to shoveling the sidewalk.

Framingham has no such law, according to William Hanson of the Framingham Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

which states that a property owner must clear the snow on the abutting sidewalk within 12 hours after the flakes stop falling. The penalty can be a $50 fine.

One problem that some communities have had with laws related to shoveling is when it comes to elderly or other people who are not physically able to shovel large amounts of snow like the 30-plus inches of snow Framingham received during the Blizzard of 2013.

Conversely, if people aren't forced to shovel the sidewalks, how long will it take for the sidewalks to be cleared by the town, if at all, as not every street is targeted for the sidewalk plow.

If not, this could make it unsafe for people walking, especially children who walk to school. More than 2,000 Framingham Public School students walk to their school.

Several parents already expressed their opinions about the lack of sidewalks not plowed for the return of school on Tuesday. Other parents discussed the issue on the Framingham Patch Facebook page.

So what do you think about this issue?

Do you think Framingham should have a law that requires people to shovel the snow on the sidewalk by their homes?

Tell us in the comments section below.