The road, along the Mystic
River and adjacent to Route I-93, is supposed to be maintained by the
state. Desmond said he has received complaints that plowing, towing and
other services aren't up to par with what the city should be providing,
since those residents pay the same tax rates as everyone else.

Desmond
recounted a complaint from a Shore Drive resident whose driveway was
blocked by a car with out of state plates, leaving her unable to get to
work as she waited hours for a State Trooper to arrive.

Shore
Drive is also one of the few roads in the city that will not be permit
parking restricted starting in January, which Ward 4 Alderman Walter
Pero said would make it a target for commuters.

A resolution
submitted by all four aldermen-at-large and Pero would add Shore Drive
to the list of state roads the city would be charged with maintaining.

"It's
only fair to these folks," Desmond said. "It's the right thing for us
to do. If we don't (maintain Shore Drive), quite frankly, maybe we
should figure out a tax break for them."

The resolution passed unanimously.