Commission pushes documentation, town follow-up on snow removal and blocked accessible parking

Commission members spent substantial time on snow removal and its accessibility impacts after members raised recent guidance from the Massachusetts Office on Disability.

Member Amy told the commission she attended a Select Board discussion about snow removal and shared that the Massachusetts Office on Disability issued guidance on accessibility and snow removal standards earlier in February. Commissioners discussed municipal responsibility, private-owner liability for sidewalks, and whether local bylaws could be adopted to require clearer maintenance standards.

Public commenters and commissioners reported recurring problems: snow or mulch dumped in accessible parking stalls and sidewalks left uncleared in front of homes or businesses. Commissioners recommended documenting incidents with photographs to support enforcement or policy changes; members proposed submitting those reports through the town’s bias/incident reporting form and asked who in town receives and acts on those reports.

Amy said she has a scheduled meeting with Assistant Town Manager Jen Breker to discuss the incident-reporting form and to clarify how complaints are routed and addressed. Commissioners also suggested exploring volunteer-based snow-removal support (for residents unable to shovel) and outreach to local partners — including the high school, Essex Tech, the senior center and Danvers Cares — to organize volunteers and channels for requests. Several members volunteered to raise the issue at Danvers Cares and to compile photographic documentation.

The commission did not adopt a new bylaw or regulation at the meeting; it agreed on follow-up steps to gather documentation and to meet with town administration.