This is the sporadic reminder that if you have a sidewalk, it is both moral and legal obligation to clear it of snow promptly and if on a corner lot, to make sure there is an exit cleared so that people can cross the street. I don’t care how tired your arms are — hire someone if necessary.
Sidewalks are not decorative borders. For those of us who walk or ride the bus when we need to get to work, it is as important to have sidewalks cleared as it is that motorists have streets cleared. Not everyone is working remotely right now.
Nothing tells pedestrians that we are second class citizens quicker than seeing the street plowed well enough for vehicles to travel while we are trudging through knee-deep snow on the sidewalk. If we were prioritized, both would be done at the same time. (Looking at your Sigourney Street bridge, right next to the CTfastrak station)
Nobody should have to climb over snow mountains because a property owner did not remember or care to cut out an exit to the street.
Every year I hear callous griping at pedestrians who are walking in the roadways. If sidewalks are not shoveled but the streets are clean down to the pavement, guess which option people are going to choose? If using a mobility device, the street is often the only option.
I expect that Real Hartford readers have enough damn sense and know all this already, but please pass the message along to those who don’t.
Please, contact 311 when you notice sidewalks that have not been cleaned after storms end. Property owners have a responsibility. My arms and back are sore today because I fulfilled mine.
