Actually, homeowners are responsible for removing "accumulating" snow. While many go above and beyond to do so, they are not required to cut through four to six foot snow piles created by city snow removal operations. Moreover, the city's legal (ADA) obligation to keep pedestrian/disabled access ramps clear is not delegable.

check out top of pearl street. disgraceful!

This issue was recategorized from Other to Snow/Ice on Sidewalks.

Malden 311 (Constituent Services Representative) assigned this issue to Christopher Webb (Director of Public Health)

I've seen snow-eating machines (sorry I don't know the technical term for them) cutting through snowbanks in Melrose and Woburn, and working on DCR and MBTA controlled sidewalks and roads elsewhere over the past couple of days. Does Malden have any of these machines? If not, we need some. And I would be happy to see my tax dollars go toward that, to enhance pedestrian access, especially for the elderly and disabled, who have a right to safe sidewalks, and clear crosswalks and pedestrian/disabled access ramps. BTW if anyone is wondering why my messages are delayed, it's because I appear to have been tagged for raising concerns about DPW snow removal operations. There is a pattern here. And it has happened to others as well. None of us have done anything in violation of the terms of service (as evidenced by the fact that all of our comments eventually were released -- just too late for them to be seen in a timely fashion). It's ridiculous. But apparently that's Malden for you. They don't want to provide the level of service that other cities and towns provide. And they certainly don't want to answer questions about it. Sad.

Yes, there is a responsibility of the DPW, but you cannot negate the responsibility of homeowners. We shovel and then have to clear our driveway again once the plow comes by, and pushes the snow back and blocks our recently shoveled work. It is aggravating, but as stated in so many click fixes the streets need to be plowed and the people plowing cannot get out of their truck and undo their plowing efforts. The DPW or any city workers for that matter are not our personal servants and should not be treated as such. Respect can go a long way.

These piles are being put on a list for the DPW to address.

Chris Webb
Dir Public Health

Personally, I don't have a problem clearing my sidewalk several times during a storm....I have a hundred feet of frontage, and typically run my snowblower down the sidewalks of my adjacent neighbors....I do think it's rediculous that plows and front end loaders are allowed to create huge snow piles on the sidewalk at many intersections. The bigger the intersection, the taller the piles.