Downtown residents & businesses may face fines for uncleared sidewalks under new rule
In the final public forum held on October 28th, the Bylaw Committee presented its proposed “Snow Shoveling Bylaw,” aimed at improving pedestrian safety in the downtown business district during winter months. The bylaw, which will be considered at the upcoming November Town Meeting, would require property owners in the Smart Growth Business District to clear sidewalks of snow and ice within a specified timeframe after storms.
The committee, responding to a 2022 citizen petition initiated by Town Meeting member Mary Parr, spent several years researching similar ordinances in neighboring communities such as Wakefield, Wilmington, and Medford. The proposed bylaw mandates that sidewalks be cleared to a minimum width of 42 inches—suitable for wheelchair access—within four hours between sunrise and sunset after snowfall or icy precipitation.
Committee members emphasized that the bylaw is designed to promote accessibility and safety, particularly for residents with mobility challenges.
We want to ensure that everyone can access downtown safely, even during the freeze-thaw cycles that make sidewalks treacherous,” said committee member Jesse Arnold.
The bylaw includes provisions for discretion in enforcement, with the Department of Public Works (DPW) designated as the primary enforcing authority. Fines may be issued for non-compliance, but committee members stressed that enforcement would focus on repeat offenders and that DPW would not be actively patrolling during storms. Instead, violations would be reported through the town’s SeeClickFix system. A change from the original plan of the police enforcing the bylaw.
Public feedback during the forum was robust. Residents and business owners expressed both support and concern. Joy Beaulieu, a downtown salon owner, praised the intent but worried about the financial burden on small businesses.
If I’m away and snow isn’t cleared, the fine could be nearly as much as my rent,” she said, advocating for more equitable treatment across all commercial properties.”
Carlo Bacci, a downtown resident, Town Meeting, and Select Board member, echoed concerns about fairness, urging the committee to consider expanding the bylaw townwide. “If we’re going to do this, we should do it for everyone,” he said, while also suggesting a Medford-style enforcement model where the town clears sidewalks and bills non-compliant property owners.
Committee members acknowledged the feedback and noted that amendments could be proposed on the Town Meeting floor. They reiterated that the bylaw’s scope was intentionally narrow to reflect the original petition and to allow for a manageable rollout.
If approved, the bylaw would take effect on November 1, 2026, giving the town and property owners ample time to prepare. The committee also announced that DPW will place barrels of salt/sand mixture around downtown to assist with sidewalk treatment.
As the town prepares for the November meeting, the committee plans to revise its presentation to include clearer language and examples to help Town Meeting members better understand the bylaw’s intent and implementation.
The full meeting can be seen below:
