Boston City Council to review blizzard response after Mattapan Square residents report delayed snow removal

Cleanup complaints converge on safety, access, and who is responsible for sidewalks

Boston city councilors are set to examine the city’s recent blizzard response amid renewed criticism from residents and businesses in Mattapan Square, where packed snow and ice lingered for days and pushed pedestrians into traffic.

In the days after the storm, residents described narrowed walking routes, crosswalk approaches blocked by piled snow, and curb ramps that were difficult to use. Some said they avoided slick sidewalks by stepping into the roadway, raising concerns about safety for seniors, people with disabilities, and families navigating with strollers.

What the city has said it cleared — and what residents said they experienced

City operations during major storms are typically split between roadway plowing and the clearing of pedestrian infrastructure such as intersections, crosswalks, and curb ramps. Boston has also relied on hauling snow to designated “snow farms” across the city to reduce street-level buildup.

In Mattapan Square, residents reported that conditions improved as crews returned to clear remaining trouble spots, but complaints centered on the lag between the storm and safe passage on key pedestrian routes near transit stops and busy intersections.

Sidewalk responsibility is a core issue at the hearing

A central theme in the Council’s review is that Boston’s sidewalk clearing framework places broad responsibility on private property owners and businesses to shovel the sidewalks and curb ramps adjacent to their buildings. That system can become complicated in high-traffic commercial areas and around transit assets, where ownership and maintenance responsibilities are less obvious.

Council offices representing neighborhoods that include Mattapan have said they received numerous complaints this winter, particularly where residents were unsure which agency or owner was responsible for specific sidewalks, ramps, and medians.

Policy ideas on the table: a “snow corps” and snow-melting equipment

The Council’s discussion is expected to include proposals aimed at improving access after major storms and reducing the time that key pedestrian routes remain hazardous.

• A city-supported “snow corps,” designed to help elderly residents and people with disabilities who cannot shovel and may not be able to afford private services.
• Expanded use or potential purchase of industrial snow-melting machines, which can reduce snowbanks where hauling capacity or storage space is limited.
• Clearer coordination on pedestrian areas around transit facilities, where snow clearance affects both mobility and safety.

Residents’ accounts from Mattapan Square highlighted a recurring winter challenge: streets may reopen quickly, but sidewalks, curb ramps, and crosswalk approaches can remain difficult to navigate without additional targeted clearing.

What comes next

The hearing will focus on operational gaps exposed by consecutive storms, including how to prioritize pedestrian infrastructure in dense commercial districts and how to align expectations when sidewalk duties are split among property owners, city departments, and transportation agencies. For residents in Mattapan Square, the immediate measure is whether post-storm conditions improve faster the next time heavy snow hits.