Anyone responsible for keeping sidewalks clear of snow knows it's not always an easy task.
The burden it places on homeowners was made abundantly clear last week when more than a foot of snow fell in 24 hours.
Now Cambridge councillor Scott Hamilton wants the city to consider options that support seniors and those with special needs and will table a motion next week asking the city to update its policy.
The city requires all property owners to clear their sidewalks within 36 hours of a snowfall event, regardless of their age or ability.
Hamilton doesn't think that's fair and will ask staff to consider enhancing the city's winter maintenance support programs for seniors and special needs groups.
Hamilton said the city hasn't amended its snow removal programs for those groups since 2005.
Nor has it improved the funding provided to assist people to clear their sidewalks.
Community Support Connections, a local non-profit providing services that allow people to continue to live in their own homes, has been offering snow removal for eligible seniors in Cambridge for years.
But Hamilton believes the city's growing population may have outpaced the ability for support programs to meet demand and he wants to ensure all residents are able to safely walk to different neighbourhoods, services and community centres all times of year.
If council supports the motion at its Feb. 1 meeting, the city's director of operations will be asked to report back to council in the summer with a plan to support older property owners and those with special needs with winter sidewalk maintenance.
The motion asks staff to provide multiple options, including costs, resources required, feasibility and a timeline for implementation of an enhanced program to be incorporated in the 2023 operating budget.
