Friday, September 8, 2023

Economic Development Subcmte shovels the snow bylaw forward for Council discussion (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee (EDC) talked about snow removal on a hot Wednesday in the Franklin Council Chambers for their regularly scheduled meeting.

The proposed re-introduction of the sidewalk snow removal bylaw which was rescinded in 2017 was initially discussed at the August EDC meeting at which one member was absent. All four participated this time, 3 present in Chambers, one via remote connection.

That the bylaw hadn't been present for 6 years apparently had wrought enough interest to make it to the Council's objectives, hence this discussion.

The committee could have decided to do more research before forwarding to the Council, or done nothing (effectively continuing the status quo of the past 6 years). They did end up moving it forward without recommendation for a full Council discussion. Some additional research will be done by Town staff in prep for a future Council meeting.

Quick recap: what some folks would want is for the Town to clear the sidewalks, however the DPW is not staffed to do this and their other priorities. The community (commercial, retail and residents) should be able to help which is what the proposal lays out. It will create some inequity and hardship particularly among some of the elderly and disabled residents. 

What kind of community and area do we want to live in is the real question?

There are pros and cons, and no easy answer. Where is Solomon when we need him?


My notes taken via Twitter and captured via a single PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rOTVhHzvrppkmJB3HmmyqbJHaq6LTXj7/view?usp=drive_link


The proposed map of sidewalks to be cleared by the DPW

Proposed sidewalk snow removal map
Proposed sidewalk snow removal map

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