I, for one, never thought side walks should be responsible by any homeowner. Sidewalks should be all city, just like streets.

I agree. And when people dig themselves out by throwing the snow into the street instead of in the grass between the sidewalk and street (the perfect place) more plowing just leads to heavier and heavier snow and having to dig yourself out repeatedly.

when I dug myself out, I dug out the car in front of me at the same time, even though I had ample room to pull out without doing so. I think that in the meantime, if we can just be civil and help each other -- even if we don't all know each other -- at least we could survive the city's bad management by general good will toward others.

I agree Cate about the people throwing the snow back into the street. So lame and complete lack of common sense...guess where the snow will end up when its time to plow? Right back at your car! Common sense people, move the snow to the area between the sidewalk and street. Also know that its ILLEGAL to put snow or leaves in the street.

Barnett, Willard and a few other streets are STILL a disaster and increase for illegal parking. Actually saw a car parked on the wrong side of the road on Barnett last nite. This is pathetic. The city needs to really concentrate on doing a better job from the areas of Fountain and 2 blocks away where there are mostly apartment buildings. We don't have parking lots to park in...we need our streets plowed. Less attention could be spent on the upper areas since they don't have to park on the street and concentrate more on the apartment areas...which again is just 2 blocks distance (between Fountain and West Elm)

Thank you "E"
Ben and Ginger Lee did not read the name of this site:
See,Click,FIX, power to the community...
The site they need to me on is See,Click,MOVE, do nothing.

Yes, the police need to ticket three days in a row on Barnett to stop the illegal parking. I had to call the police because I was blocked in like a sardine one morning by a car from a neighboring town and missed my train.

I was away for several days and when I came back with my daughter, in my attempt to park on Barnett, the bottom of my bumper scraped against a "snowbank" in the street and it ripped a chunk off my new car's lower bumper. New as in 147 miles. I'm also new -- and want to know what we can do. Is anyone on this street a lawyer perhaps? Are they even still plowing or waiting for it to melt? Because as it melts it forms the kind of snow that rips up people's cars. Are we talking just to each other or to people who can fix this stuff?

Dorothy - Completely agree!
Cate - supposedly there are people-of-power following this site but who knows for sure. Unfortunately, you don't have a case because its not something that wasnt preventable. (No, Im not a lawyer). They will just probably argue that you should have shoveled the area on your own because it was nature, not man - except your own person, that created your problem. I agree, completely unfair but thats how Im sure it would play out. I think the city is waiting for it to melt on its own - which is completely absurd that this even was like this to begin with! Coming from a place where snow removal is well maintained, it frustrates the heck out of me that our "powers that be" have failed their jobs in the most basic conditions here in New England. Hopefully, with our complaints and suggestions, this can be avoided next time around. I know our street is still a disaster - just a few streets away from you. Hardly any onstreet parking.

Neighbors and DPW will have to work together on this heavily parked block of Barnett. I'll discuss enforcement and other ideas with DPW.

Thus far, nothing has been done. With this last storm, this first posting is mild! Again, we desperately need the city of NH to help us. Our neighbors need to be fined for not clearing their sidewalks and for illegal parking because the storm was on Wednesday and it is now Saturday morning. I see no reason for this lack of action because McKinnley Av, Forrest Rd and Fountain St. are beautifully maintained! Please Help!

It was indeed DPW's intent to clear streets during these hours. I truly appreciate all the neighbors that worked to move cars and comply with the alternate parking requests/"bans."

I do hear and understand neighbors' frustrations with clearing parking lanes and I will continue to represent these concerns to the Mayor and DPW.

http://cityofnewhaven.com/PublicWorks/trash/SnowRemoval.asp

I'm just the messenger here. The above link is to DPW's snow removal info page. It is up to date as of just a few days ago.

The Level of service section addresses "travel lanes" and not getting to curb to curb. However, I do know that it is the City's goal to get to curb to curb primarily to clear the storm drains. And, of course the City understands the need for on-street parking too and continues to work toward this ultimate goal.

Expectations are high I know, and I'll work to address resident needs felt to be unmet.

Thanks Greg for at least commenting here. I truly appreciate your time and attention to our disdain. Just showing up here means someone is listening even if the Mayor isnt following through with his duties.

Dorothy - the streets I have seen well maintained are state owned streets, downtown and bus routes. If they dont fall into these categories, Im seeing we cant count on the officials to do their job (not you Greg but those above you). And we have ANOTHER snow fall coming tonite I hear? Three layers of snow falls without any plowing - which means ice or very hard snow for starters and an even more mess that the rest of us have to deal with. Im wondering how the high-officials neighborhoods look. Im willing to bet completely clean and manageable.

Dear Greg and E, Thank you so much for your concern and help. I am a bit shocked with the lack of response from our city. However, I did walk to Westville Center via McKinnley after navigating like a true Polar Bear over snow banks and ice.

LOL Dorothy! Good job! Glad youre safe.

This issue is not resolved but worse. With out the help of the neighbors, most of us would be burried in with snow. Even the paid snow removal by the houses with driveways makes it worse for us who have street parking because they plow the snow right on top of our cars. West Elm barely gets plowed by the city now. However, Alston Avenue gets plowed beautifully along with McKinley Avenue, Fountain Street and Forrest Rd! The city is HERE plowing the richer streets with the affluent home owners and refuses to take the time for us. No wonder most neighbors give up and do not plow their sidewalks.

I agree Dorothy. Just a note. Fountain and Forrest are state owned, which is why they are taken care of properly. McKinley is a wider street so they can do better work. I know Alden was getting more attention because it was a bus route....but no longer the case. Im here with you just as frustrated...the areas where its apartments need better attention...which is just 2 blocks distance between Fountain and West Elm...since its mostly on street parking.

Funny - my ex-husband came to pick up my daughter and was incredulous. He grew up in Manhattan, including the storm of 78, and he had never seen anything like our street. The sidewalks may be clear, but it's a maze trying to find an exit off them once you get onto one! I signed up for the broadcast voice mails from the mayor but it's confusing about the even side of the street. A neighbor of mine said that Alston is always better plowed so he just parks down there. the worst thing was that, when the plows finally came through twice (I shoveled the first snowbank way right after) the second snowbank against the car was so hard and icy that I had to chop through it with my scraper. OK, I guess, enough complaining. It is what it is...If I had the time I would organize some sort of civil disobedience -- sign-making to post in front of city hall, in front of Mayor's residence (where does that dude live) etc. Around those carefully prepared snow routes. Maybe they're taking such good care of snow routes so we'll all just leave :-P

Cate.

I also think we need to spread this link around, because it seems as though we're just talking to a few people. I sent it to my neighbor downstairs and across the hall. If anyone knows other people's emails or could get them, maybe we could share this and get more voices heard. I know that everyone's frustrated. (Understatement.)

Thank you, Ginger....
I have called the Dept. of Public Works and know that SeeClickFix is part of their website....
SeeClickFix automatically notifies me after a few weeks to see what is done to fix the problem... and wants me to post my answer! So, I did!
Also, I met the gentleman who started this site at a lecture....
His concept for community action is wonderful (hence the internet shut down in Egypt to stop this)
and he truly has helped fix many problems around our city....
My understanding is location and money are preventing city action on Barnett Street....
If we were on the wealthier streets of Westville...
I would not be addressing this horrible situation at all...
I also would be sitting back, complaining and not taking any community action....
At least I have done my part to help my neighbors in my community....
I will now do my expedition to my vehicle now parked on Willard Street which is plowed!

What should we do about parking for this latest adventure? I've got my car way down by the mysteriously empty bible center, there are some areas that are well-plowed. I'm freaking a little because I won't be able to shovel really heavy slush. Well, enough hand-wringing. Good luck everyone

Cate.

To Greg Dildine: the mayor keeps telling us to park on the even side. But we can't on Barnett unless EVERYONE does. the street is hardly passable even just one way. What do we do (if anyone ever gets to us??)

Winter is near an end and NOTHING was done to fix the problem

Thank you for reporting and staying on top of this, Dorothy. I hope that plans are afoot to do a better job addressing it next season. I also hope the city gives priority to sidewalk ice, which is quite dangerous (especially where it forces kids to walk in the middle of busy streets) but seemed to be a seriously neglected area this winter.