Politics & Government
Melrose Snow Shoveling Ordinance Gets Plowed Away
The much-discussed ordinance that would have required most residents to clear their sidewalks of snow was voted down Monday night.
MELROSE, MA — The proposed snow shoveling ordinance that would require most residents to clear their sidewalks of snow died Monday night. The vote came following months of spirited debate, including several residents who spoke at length before the Board of Aldermen. The ordinance needed eight votes to pass; it received six.
The proposed ordinance, put forward by President of the Board Mike Zwirko, was a rehash of a version that failed in 2015. You can read the full proposed ordinance here. It generally says that able residents would be required to clear the sidewalk of snow in front of their property or face a fine.
Opponents of the ordinance leaned on a variety of arguments, but two of the loudest were the lack of specificity in the ordinance and the relatively small amount of properties that currently do not often get shoveled. A city study showed out of 8,506 parcels in the city, only 58 didn't shovel during the storms studied.
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Zwirko argued the ordinance would serve as a needed tangible tool residents could use to report chronic offenders.
- Read: Alderman Have Lot To Say On Snow Shoveling Ordinance
- Too Many Questions In Snow Shoveling Ordinance Proposal: Mortimer
- Shoveling Sidewalk Would Be Required In New Proposal
Alderman Shawn MacMaster said Monday night he understands the purpose and agrees with its spirit, but had problems with how it was being presented.
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"I hardly think that is an issue so severe a problem that we need to legislate it," MacMaster said.
The aldermen voting in favor were: Manisha Bewtra; Jen Lemmerman; Kate Lipper-Garabedian; Shawn MacMaster; Frank Wright; Mike Zwirko.
The aldermen voting against were: Bob Boisselle; Scott Forbes; Monica Medeiros; John Tramontozzi; Peter Mortimer.
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