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Boston mayor defends city's snow removal progress nearly 2 weeks after historic storm

By
Mike Toole
Managing Editor, CBS Boston
Mike Toole is the managing editor for CBS Boston. He has worked in the WBZ-TV newsroom for more than 20 years. He previously wrote and produced news and sports at WABC-TV in New York.
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Mike Toole

/ CBS Boston

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu defended the city's snow removal progress again Friday. She said hundreds of workers have been out every day clearing snow since the storm hit nearly two weeks ago.

At a news conference, the mayor said Boston has removed more than 6,200 truck loads of snow so far, since the storm ended 12 days ago. Wu said more will be hauled away this weekend, even with new snow in the forecast Saturday.

The mayor has faced a wave of criticism because snow is still clogging streets and sidewalks across the city. Boston got 23.2 inches of snow on January 25 and 26. It was the eighth biggest snowstorm in the city's history and the largest in nearly four years.

Wu acknowledged the  have "always been confusing" to many people, but it relies on "everybody to do their part."

"Everybody is responsible for the property that they own to shovel the sidewalk in front of their property all the way through to the crosswalk. But, when that doesn't happen, having one chunk of sidewalk you can't walk down, is incredibly stressful for the mom in the stroller or seniors or kids trying to get to school," Wu said.

"We have been ticketing to make sure people know what their responsibilities are," she said. "If you haven't shoveled your sidewalk yet, please be a good neighbor and clear it out." 

The mayor said Thursday 500 city workers and contractors have been clearing snow since the storm ended. Boston also rented an industrial melter to clear out snow that's been dumped at a lot in Charlestown.

But if the Patriots win the Super Bowl Sunday, there will be a parade in Boston next week. Would the city be ready for the crowds with streets narrowed by so much snow?

"We don't talk about things early in New England, but we are always prepared for them," the mayor said Thursday.

A few more inches of snow is in the forecast for the Boston area on Saturday. It will be followed by bitter cold wind chills Sunday. Mayor Wu has declared a cold emergency for Boston starting Saturday, lasting into Monday

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