Opinion: Keeping plowed snow off sidewalks is a small win with a big impact

Photo courtesy of John Kelly

By John Kelly

All too often after shoveling a sidewalk clean, in a few hours it’s covered in snow again pushed on from the street. It’s an annoyance for some, but shoveling multiple times can be very difficult and dangerous for our elderly neighbors.

At a recent Community Board 11 meeting, Mary Donahue spoke about how parents and children have to walk in the street to avoid the snow-covered sidewalks around the school she lives near. Those with limited mobility have it worse, sometimes being trapped in their houses until the snow melts. This issue is exacerbated by the fact that many neighborhoods in our area have narrow sidewalks.

I’ve been working with Mary and many others on this issue for years. Luckily, we’ve recently found some success.

Last October, we spoke with Queens East Snow/Night Plow Operations Supervisor John Ottoman and Deputy Chief Michael Carolan about this issue during a Community Board 11 meeting.

They were clearly listening because at the very next snow storm, I only had to shovel my sidewalk once, and the Department of Sanitation kept the street snow at the curb. Managing urgent operations like snow removal in a city as complex as ours is no easy task, but John Ottoman and Michael Carolan listened to the community and shifted their practices to help everyone. That’s something that should be applauded.

Unfortunately, the change hasn’t reached every neighborhood yet. Henry Euler of the Auburndale Improvement Association said, “I am pleased to hear that there has been some improvement in the Bayside Hills area with regards to the issue of snow plows pushing snow back on cleared sidewalks during plowing operations. “

“In the Auburndale area, however, the problem persists. If success can be met in one area to overcome this problem, then similar or additional strategies for plowing could also work in other areas experiencing this problem, including in the Auburndale community. I and others look forward to working with the Department of Sanitation in resolving this issue, that causes frustration and hardship for many residents."

Change may be slow, but if we all put in the effort, we can work together to improve our neighborhoods. Small wins may not change the world, but hopefully they’ll help on the next cold and snowy day.

John Kelly is a member of Queens Community Board 11 but is not representing them in this op-ed.