I would like to suggest that the Town start fining people who don't shovel their sidewalks. Specifically, 13 Summer Street, a condominium building opposite the Dairy Queen, and the building next door at 19 Summer Street, NEVER shovel the sidewalks. This forces school children and other walkers into the already narrow street. This is unacceptable and against the Town By-laws. Something needs to be done.

I whole heartedly agree with Deb. Unfortunately, according to a reader's question a week back, Westborough no longer has a bylaw enforcing that sidewalks be cleared, therefore, practically no one does it. Apparently, fines for not shoveling were seen as a burden on the elderly. Certainly, they, along with the handicapped, could be made exempt from enforcement. This is a no brainer in light of the fact that public safety is involved. The question is wouldn't sidewalks also be considered a "public way" making them not being cleared a violation of town bylaws.

Interesting. I think most people are sympathetic towards elderly or anyone for whom shoveling snow is a true hardship but that should not excuse everyone else! My beef is with landlords and condo associations who can well afford to clear their sidewalks. It's an expense of doing business and a safety and liability issue for them as well. Perhaps we need a by-law requiring specific sidewalk clearing for anyone operating a business, including investor-owned residential property; and for anyone within a "walking zone" of a school. I noticed on my walk this morning that almost no one on Charles Street has shoveled their sidewalks; yet nearly everyone on West has done it. Some common sense and courtesy prevails in the school zones already. But Church Street is still largely impassable by pedestrians. I saw one boy walking in the street with his backpack. Very dangerous.

I agree that enforcing sidewalk clearing within walking distance if a school zone is the bare minimum. Problem is, that many students who ride the bus still have to walk a good distance in the streets to get to their residences, making them at risk as well. As far as the landlords, you are right in that there is no justifiable excuse. However, they are probably covered liability-wise, since the town, not them, technically own the sidewalks.

Thanks to DPW and the town for great work. Attached are photos from snow clean up today. It's impressive to see how organized Westborough is when I hear from other states/towns that they have yet to see a snowplow on their street.