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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Bylaw Committee
Date: 2024-10-24
Building: Virtual
Address:
Purpose: Snow Removal Bylaw Forum
Attendees: Members - Present:
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Zoom
Session: Open Session
Version: Draft
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Jesse Arnold, Jason Clarke, Jared Belliveau, Liz Sullivan (all via Zoom)
Members - Not Present:
Louise Saunders
Others Present:
Jackie LaVerde (via Zoom)
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jared Belliveau
Topics of Discussion:
Meeting called to order at 7:32pm
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Snow Removal Bylaw. Clarke presented power point outlining the background, purpose,
and bylaw language. Arnold summarized the problem of walks not being cleared and the
expectation that property owners, rather than tenant business owners, will be responsible
for clearance. Arnold also explained that Town Counsel has opined that enacting this bylaw
will not create new liability for property owners. Arnold then reviewed the language of the
bylaw in detail. Arnold also explained that there will be an amendment offered on the Floor
of town meeting regarding enforcement responsibility - namely that RPD will be removed
from enforcement and DPW will be primarily responsible, but that language may be board
enough to allow for Town employees such as the building inspector to also enforce.
Karen -Rose Gillis in capacity as resident indicated that she supported the bylaw. She asked
about the extent of the Downtown Smart Growth District (DSGD). Discussion of boundaries
continued.
Carlo Bacci asked about the scope of similar bylaws in neighboring towns. Clarke and
Arnold concluded that Wakefield, Wilmington, and North Reading have bylaws that apply to
the entire town within certain categories of property. Bacci indicated that he is disappointed
that the bylaw does not include all of Main Street, though he does not support the bylaw in
general. Bacci also indicated that he feels it would be unfair if only downtown businesses
are required to do this. He noted that South Main Street continues to be developed and
that they should be held to the same standard if we are going to propose a standard.
Arnold responded that the current language will allow for amendment on the floor of town
meeting to expand the scope if desired.
Joy Beaulieu, owner of business on corner of Haven and High. Glad to hear that the
presence of salt/sand barrels will be a big improvement. She noted that the property owner
is probably going to pass the fine onto the business owners. She also noted that only
clearing four feet of sidewalk leads to melt and refreeze in that cleared area. Explained that
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the fine would be cost prohibitive if went on vacation and a snowstorm hit. Arnold offered
that the intent is not to be overly punitive. Clarke added that intent is that DPW will have
discretion in enforcement so that it is applied to repeat offenders. Review of language in
proposed bylaw to highlight discretionary elements followed. Beaulieu acknowledged
discretionary language and added that all commercial properties in town should be included.
Kevin McCarthy, Economic Planning & Development for Reading, explained that he has had
more conversations with business owners. He noted that there is very little objection to the
bylaw in principle. Many of the businesses already have the requirement written into their
leases and already do the clearing. Business owners expressed concern that discretion will
be used to their detriment - for example if they have nowhere to move the snow except the
street. Proposed that language could include specific hours requirements and number of
offenses.
Sullivan notes that the expectation is that this will be reported to DPW via See -Click -Fix
rather than DPW patrolling for enforcement. Suggested that this point be made during the
presentation at Town Meeting.
Bacci supports adding the language used in Medford whereby DPW will complete the
shoveling for repeat offenders and then bill the property owners.
Sullivan made motion to adjourn. Belliveau seconded. Committee voted 4-0 to adjourn at
8:45pm
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