The winter parking ban is a relic of the pre-satellite era. When snow is coming, the mayor should declare a snow emergency and clear streets. But even in winter, most nights are dry. From December 1 to March 31, it snows on average five nights; if you count snow mixed with rain, which often doesn’t accumulate, it’s about twelve.
Yet the rule bans overnight parking for more than 120 nights, even though about 90% are bone-dry. It’s a needless hardship for residents of older homes with narrow driveways and multiple cars. Picture a family with two teens and three cars in a single-width driveway: every winter night or dawn becomes Tetris. Starting one car in the cold to move it twenty feet, backing out another, then re-parking the first is annoying, hard on engines, and worse for the environment.
The familiar justifications don’t hold up.
“Emergency access.” DPW, the fire chief, and the police superintendent confirmed in 2023 that repeal wouldn’t affect safety; when the ban was lifted during COVID, there were no widespread problems.
“Developers will skimp on parking.” That’s a zoning issue. Set parking requirements for new construction; don’t punish the whole city. In fact, it’s older houses that lack garages and have tight driveways.
“My specific street has a specific problem.” Fine — solve it narrowly. The City Council can pass a targeted ordinance for a particular block. I’ll write a letter supporting tailored fixes on your street.
Scrap the blanket winter ban. It’s outdated, unfair, and environmentally wasteful.
Ron Fein
Newton Centre
