City is calling on neighbors to help neighbors

On February 24, 2026, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

There’s a lot to clean up out there, and while DPW is busy clearing, we’re calling on neighbors to help neighbors out today too! We need good neighbors – and hydrant shovelers – to come out of the woodwork for this one.

With snow ending overnight the shoveling deadline is 1 p.m. Tuesday (within 6 daylight hours of the end of snowfall). A path at least 3 feet wide and down to the pavement is required to accommodate wheelchairs. While shoveling is important to allow safe passage for everyone, we know the conditions are tough out there, so shoveling enforcement will take that into consideration for this storm (in other words, you still have to shovel, but we’ll apply common sense with enforcement).

Once you’re finished shoveling your own property, if you are able, please consider offering help to your neighbors, especially seniors and persons with disabilities.

-Remember to take frequent breaks while shoveling, and be sure to dress warm.

-Health and safety come first. Review cold weather safety tips at somervillema.gov/coldweather

-Remember to also treat your sidewalks over the next few days for ice that may form overnight as meltwater refreezes.

-If you are physically able, the Fire Department also greatly appreciates any assistance in shoveling hydrants (3 feet in all directions). Want extra credit? Shovel out a catch basin in your neighborhood too to help drainage once it all starts to melt.

-If someone is especially kind or helpful to you this storm and you want to give them a shout out (with or without names and details, as you like), feel free to give them some recognition on this post. We could all use that good news.

Special note for property owners on all of Broadway and School Street: Please remember you are in an Enhanced Enforcement Area. Sidewalks not cleared by the deadline may be shoveled by City crews and owners charged for the shoveling service. More info at somervillema.gov/shovel-on-time

Thank you for being a good neighbor and helping us keep Somerville safe and accessible.

-City of Somerville