Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Boston Globe: "Somerville’s secret weapon against snow"

"After 23.2 inches of snow, what’s a senior or person with heart problems supposed to do?

Somerville has figured out an answer, with a city program that matches homeowners in need with kids looking to make a few bucks by shoveling sidewalks, steps, and driveways. 

Boston Globe: "Somerville’s secret weapon against snow"
Boston Globe: "Somerville’s secret weapon against snow"
The city lets seniors and people with disabilities request help, and pairs them with a snow-shoveler between the ages of 14 and 19. The homeowner pays the shoveler in cash, at rates the city sets in advance.

For instance, clearing a sidewalk and steps is $25. Compare that to TaskRabbit, a site many people use to hire people for short one-off jobs, which says the cost of an average snow removal task arranged through the site is $118."



Continue reading the article at the Boston Globe ->