Andover Townsman, Andover, MA

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December 18, 2009

Editorial: Good neighbors have shovels

It's December in New England. That means we can expect snow, including snow on the roads and sidewalks. And usually that means a small pile of complaints, too.

As expected following the first storm of December, the town did receive complaints from people, including downtown business tenants, about the snow on downtown sidewalks, said Town Manager Buzz Stapczynski. Part of the problem is that small businesses don't necessarily understand they may be responsible for shoveling. "The tenants, occupants or owners of an area do their own sidewalks," says Stapczynski. "There are a few who don't, and we'll send out the officer who walks the Main Street beat to remind the tenants, occupants or owners to shovel." Stapczynski is calling for businesspeople and neighborhood residents, too, to be good neighbors and shovel what they can. It is certainly a reasonable request.

While there's no requirement, residents with fire hydrants on their property can also pitch in - and keep their neighborhoods safe from the damage of a fire - by helping firefighters keeping hydrants clear when they do their driveways. "They're really being good doobies" - what ever that is - says Stapczynski. "They have no obligation. We're asking people just to be good neighbors to clear their fire hydrants and sidewalks." Those who cannot shovel, can call the Green Team, a group of youth who work out of the Andover Youth Services department, to help them.

In 2007, Andover Town Meeting was asked to support a bylaw requiring residents to shovel sidewalks abutting their property. At that time, Arlington, Amherst, Belmont, Billerica, Brookline, Lexington, Somerville and Wakefield had all done so. Another resident had considered the idea in 2003, but withdrew an article after selectmen decided not to support it. Fortunately, Town Meeting defeated the 2007 article, which was supported by two selectmen.

Able-bodied people should keep their sidewalks clear. But we don't need a law to force us into it. We have enough government regulations and intrusions into our day-to-day lives. Let's all do the right thing, take a few minutes to clear the way for neighbors and keep government and zealous lawyers out of our snowbanks.

It's not too much to ask. We live in New England. The snow is coming. Let's make sure good neighbors appear with it.

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Editorial: Good neighbors have shovels
by Anonymous , , Fri Dec 18, 2009, 03:08 PM EST
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