Attempts at improving snow removal on narrow city streets last year were scrutinized at a Burlington City Council Work Session last night.
Between November of last year and April 15th, they instituted new parking rules for areas on Grove Street, Adams Street, and Orchard Street, all of them narrow streets where snow removal has, historically, been difficult, if not impossible. The rules made residents alternate which side of the street they park their car on–one side on even days, one side on odd days–in order to allow snow plows to remove snow from the entire street.
Public Works Director Steve Hoambrecker broke down the numbers derived from surveys taken by residents. He said that while the majority of people said that it did indeed help with snow removal, it created some problems.
“The Orchard Street [residents] felt 70% that it created a hardship.” Hoambrecker said, “if you can imagine right now, you come home for the weekend and park your car, if you don’t plan on moving until monday, you’d have to move it several times, and it’s not just enforced for snow removal, it’s every day of the week.”
Some residents complained about inconsistent enforcement from the police department and the unwillingness of some neighbors to comply, making the snow removal problem even worse.
Hoambrecker reccomended that the program be continued in some regard, at least on Orchard Street during snow season. The council will discuss the matter in future meetings.
