Thank you for your concern, this issue has been received by our department and is under review.

Our neighbor at 50 Pinewood told me today that someone from DGS told her "we don't do driveways" - this is not a driveway, but a public pedestrian walk through to Ramsey - and the City has plowed it repeatedly in the past, but as of yet, nothing.

Interesting. I never considered snow removal at Helderberg between Pinewood and Ramsey. I know an abutting property owner handles snow removal on the pedestrian walkway section of Helderberg between Sycamore and Cardinal. But what is the rule here? Is this a City responsibility?

Eric, I think that is the case on the Ramsey side of Helderberg, but I know since we first bought our property in 2009, the City has been expected to plow that portion of Helderberg (the "footpath" path), and they have until now (they just need gentle reminding from time to time. The folks we bought our house from in 2009 told us they would sometimes have to flag down the City to let them know - and I know the landlord over at 50 Pinewood also says this portion is the City's responsibility.

When Jim Sano, who lived in our neighborhood, was still a Councilman, he would help with this issue, but don;t think we have an advocate now.

Guess national grid compounded the matter this afternoon, was told one of their people just left more huge amounts of snow at this section, blocking this portion of Helderberg in - unacceptable, especially when there are 6 children living in adjacent hiuses, the families are pretty much stuck there - going to try to get Judy Doesschate's assistance.

This section of Helderberg Avenue is a city responsibility, and, actually, in April of 2015 I contacted DGS to arrange for them to take care of some potholes on this section of Helderberg that Mr. Hotter reported to me at that time. I also asked him to let me know if these were not taken care of within a week or two and he thanked me for my assistance. I have also arranged to have the "paper street" on the Ramsey Place side mowed by DGS when the owners on each side let me know they no longer wanted to maintain it. In the past two days I have been on the phone with DGS and the Mayor's Office several times advocating for residents who have contacted me via email and phone regarding issues they have with snow removal or the lack thereof. I just got in from spending another hour driving around the 9th looking at the progress regarding areas that I have heard about and identifying several areas that still need attention. (I didn't get through the entire ward because I wound up with a piece of metal attached to some rubber in one of my tires (I think from someone's snow chains) and that abruptly ended my tour.) The trucks have been out in force in the 9th Ward this afternoon and the results are clearly showing. The long hours and the hard work the DGS crews have been putting in is much appreciated. My sincere thanks go out to all of them and the apparent good nature in which they have approached this major undertaking
. DGS has made it clear that the best way to report issues is by calling 434-CITY. I am glad to take calls and emails as well (my email is judydoesschate@nycap.rr.com and my home phone number is 459-2889.) However, since I am often in meetings, attending neighborhood association and community events there may be a delay in my getting back in touch with people - and therefore, a potential delay in the resolution of the issue. Consequently, I strongly encourage anyone with an issue regarding the maintenance of streets and sidewalks to contact 434-CITY as a first course of action - but certainly also reach out to me if you are not satisfied with the response or believe there are special circumstances that require my assistance. Sincerely, Judy Doesschate, Member, Albany Common Council, 9th Ward

Hi Mike -
I have reached out to the city on this one to help clarify that this is a city street and a city obligation and noted the complicating feature of the National Grid work today. I am headed off to a neighborhood association meeting, but please feel free to contact me via email or phone if nothing is done in the next hour or two. Judy

Thanks so much, Judy, we really appreciate your help!

Thank you, Judy!

Issue has been resolved, thanks very much to the hard working DGS folks out working in the middle of the night, and thanks also to Judy Doesschate for her very helpful assistance!

Thank you for using this application to report an issue in the City of Albany. Please know that the report was received by this department and your issue has now been resolved.