Brookline Snow Day: Here's How Long You Have To Shovel Walkways

BROOKLINE, MA — Now that was a storm. Never mind that the first day of spring is right around the corner. The storm dropped about a foot of the heavy white stuff on the area, and the threat of that prompted school closures.

Brookline officials declared the storm over at 10 a.m., which means it's time for the clean up.

Businesses have until 1 p.m. to shovel off sidewalks in front of their shops and residents have until 4 p.m. tomorrow, before they risk getting a ticket. It's probably not wise to wait too long to shovel, though, as forecasters are predicting the temperatures to drop below freezing overnight.

In 1987, Brookline town meeting voted a bylaw to require property owners to "maintain sidewalks contiguous to their property in a non-slippery condition suitable for pedestrian travel by clearing all snow and ice from a pathway at least 36 inches in width."

Single family and residential buildings with fewer than five families have to shovel within 30 hours of a storm's end. Multi-family property owners and businesses must comply within three hours. Fines range from $25-100 per day for anyone who doesn't shovel in time.

The Department of Public Works clears snow and ice from the some 250 lane miles of roadway and 40 miles of sidewalk around town. They're also clearing of snow from 10 public schools, 20 municipal parking lots and all public parks and paths. Immediately following a storm, snow banks are pushed back to the curb line to make room for plowing if another storm hits.

Other things to know?

• Trash and recycling collection will be delayed by one day for the entire week. Waste carts that have been placed curbside for Monday collection can stay out and will be collected on Tuesday.
• Town and School Administrative offices open during their regular hours.
• Adult Ed and all Evening classes canceled.

If you own a property or business, the town asks you:

• Maintain all sidewalks abutting your property or business in a non-slippery condition free of ice and snow.
• If you are out of town, or are unable to clear ice and snow due to physical limitations, have someone else prepared to maintain the sidewalk for you.
• Clear openings at intersections and crosswalks so pedestrians can cross safely.
• Help assist Public Safety Departments by clearing catch basins and snow covered fire hydrants adjacent to your property.