Sidewalk Snow-Clearing Requirement Proposed for Waltham

In the wake of the recent blizzard, City Councillor Gary Marchese has proposed an ordinance that would require residents to clear snow and ice from their sidewalks. 

“It is, I think, an important issue that all the councillors should debate and determine whether we need an ordinance,” Marchese said during the Monday, Feb. 25, City Council meeting.

The Committee of the Whole will discuss the idea at its Monday, March 4, meeting at City Hall. The meeting starts at 8 p.m.

Currently, the city requires property owners on Main Street to clear their sidewalks within 24 hours of the last snowfall. That regulation applies to both sides of the street from Prospect Hill Road to Linden Street.

Marchese's idea emerged after Waltham Patch readers and residents noted the city did a poor job of clearing the sidewalks. Marchese said an inquiry from a resident prompted him to propose the ordinance. 

Marchese pointed to several factors as reasons for his proposal. He said the city mainly clears sidewalks around public schools so students can safely travel to school, but does not clear walkways in neighborhoods without schools.

Marchese also pointed to possible models for any future ordinance, including Newton. Newton is currently running a two-year test program for a similar ordinance.