Dear Malden Residents,
As I type my blog for February's
E-Newsletter, I can't help but hope that we have seen the last of the snow.
Despite the 50 plus inches we have
received this winter, I have seen no quit in the response of our staff in
responding to what seems like a never ending snowstorm. As a matter of fact, I
have seen them not only respond but work to get better.
This is true thanks in large part to DPW
Director Bob Knox. I have nicknamed him the Terminator because he does not stop
at addressing as many of the issues that come his way. It does not matter the
hour of the day or night, Mr. Knox tries to help as much as he humanly can. I
also must compliment his wife Marianne as it’s not easy on her with two little
kids to have to listen to her husband deal with me on an hourly basis.
I also can’t forget to thank the men and
women of the Department of Public Works as they have given 100 percent during
recent storms. I am also grateful for the work of our Emergency Management
team, Permits, Inspections and Planning and Compliance. It has been all hands
on deck in an effort to help as many of our residents and businesses as
possible.
Another facet of responding to winter
storms has been Police Chief Kevin Molis and Captain Glenn Cronin. Together,
they have worked with the men and women of their department to enforce the
rules in effect during declared snow emergencies. Their response has made it
better for the DPW to plow and safer for first responders to travel in the
event of an emergency situation.
Another new feature that has been added
to our operation is a dedicated crew of sidewalk plows. We realize that a
number of our residents are walking to and from Malden Center and other places
in our community so we have worked immediately after the recent storms to clear
as many of our sidewalks as possible. It’s an extra cost but in my opinion,
it’s offset by improving pedestrian safety.
Something else we added is keeping the
Bike Path clear of snow during the winter. On average, this will cost us
approximately $500 per storm. We have received positive feedback from residents
since many folks are using the path year round to get to and from their
destinations. We are pleased to be assisting them by offering this new
practice.
The last facet in responding to each
storm is to educate residents and when needed, issue citations to those
properties that don’t clear a path as required by ordinance. This emphasis is
working slowly, but surely as Chris Webb, Director of Code Enforcement along
with the Police Department and the Compliance Bureau report that they are
seeing more and more people following the ordinance.
Proof that things are getting better in
how we respond to snowstorms came during the most recent storm when at the
height of the snow, someone contacted us asking how they might dispose of a
microwave oven! Thank you for your patience as we continue to work on providing
better service to you. Believe me, I realize it’s been a long winter but hang
in there, spring is on the way!
Sincerely,
GARY CHRISTENSON
