Town Begins Big Info Push on Belmont's New Snow Removal Regs

Building up a large snow pile in the DPW yard and greasing up the joints of the town's big equipment will not be the only preparation Belmont is taking for the first hefty snowfall of the season.

Some of the most significant new snow fighting advice will be coming in the mail with your Belmont Light bill.

The town will be going all out to help residents understand and prepare for the new Snow Removal Bylaw, passed with a good majority by the Special Town Meeting earlier in the month.

Belmont Town Administrator David Kale told the Belmont Board of Selectmen residents will be receiving an update of the DPW's award-winning winter storm pamphlet which will include the new bylaw regulations. 

"It's a way to get to know your bylaw," said Kale, saying the first year will be a "trial period" to see how all concerned responds to the regulations. 

In a nutshell, the bylaw states non-exempt homeowners or their representatives must get out and shovel the sidewalk outside their abode of any measurable snow 36 hours after the final snow flake has hit the ground. Exemptions will be made for age and disability.

The town's initial act will be to inform homeowners and residents of the bylaw and answer questions relating to the regulations. Kale said that residents will receive information on shoveling in the mail with utility bills or can glen the facts and figures online at the town's website.

"It will be great to get this into residents hands" before the first big snow fall comes, said Kale.

Kale and Office of Community Development Director Glenn Clancy will also be venturing out to the Beech Street Center today, Tuesday, Nov. 19 at noon to answer questions by the town's seniors, a group which voiced the most concern of the new bylaw. 

In an effort to have as many sidewalks cleared, Kale said that approximately 100 Belmont High School students have volunteered to shovel for the exempt, receiving community service credit for their efforts. 

In addition to the volunteer workers, Kale also believes a clearinghouse should be created to match up homeowners and renters with those in the "snow shoveling business" as many contractors will only clear out driveways.                                                                                

On the town side, DPW Director Peter Castinino is holding conversations with town employees and contractors on increasing their awareness on where to place road snow specifically adding it back onto sidewalks and at the end of neighborhood blocks where it tends to build up into large mounds. 

"They will try to be more sensitive to residents' concerns," said Kale.

"It's an education on all sides," he said.