Politics & Government
Nominees Sought For 2013 Golden Shovel Award
Award calls attention to the importance of clearing sidewalks and streets during winter weather conditions. Deadline is March 15th.
The following was provied by the Town of Wakefield and Mass In Motion-Melrose/Wakefield:
The Wakefield Department of Public Works, Wakefield Health Department, Wakefield Chamber of Commerce and the Mass in Motion-Melrose/Wakefield Team would like to invite you to nominate your friends, neighbors and local businesses for a 2013 Golden Shovel Award. The Golden Shovel Awards have been introduced this year as a way to raise awareness of the need to help your neighbors clear snow from their sidewalks, especially if they are elderly or have health or mobility restrictions, and to promote safe walking routes.
”Winter storms can be trying for motorist, pedestrians, residents and snowplow operators. Our goal at the Department of Public Works is to keep the streets open, traffic moving and return streets and sidewalks to a safe condition for winter travel, as quickly as possible. Wakefield DPW needs your support clearing sidewalks in front of your home and/or business. Through your efforts we can make a great community better for all pedestrians.” Richard Stinson, Director, Wakefield Department of Public Works (DPW).
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Nominate a neighbor or business (Nominations close March 15, 2013): If you have a neighbor, a friend or a relative that clears your sidewalk after a snowstorm consider nominating them for the Town’s Golden Shovel Awards. Shop and support your local businesses and as you do, check out their snow clearing procedures. Those who clear fastest and most continuously can also be nominated.
To nominate a Good Samaritan, all you have to do is write a short email or letter to Kara Showers, Mass in Motion-Melrose/Wakefield program coordinator (kshowers@cityofmelrose.org, Town Health Department, 1 Lafayette Street) describing the story. Remember to include: 1) Name: the business name or first and last name of the resident you are nominating 2) Address of the person or business you are nominating 3) Email and phone number of the person or business you are nominating (if known)
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The Good Samaritan will receive a letter from the Town Administrator Steve Maio thanking them on behalf of the entire Town for making the extra effort to not only clear the sidewalk for their neighbor, but for all the pedestrians that use the sidewalks throughout the winter. With support from the Mass in Motion-Melrose/Wakefield program, the Good Samaritan will also receive a pair of slip-on snow/ice treads as a token of the Town’s appreciation and their name will be entered into a drawing to receive one of these prizes: a Wakefield Chamber of Commerce member business gift certificate, a Golden Shovel Award T-shirt from the TStop, free detail (wax and buff) from 1st Class Auto Body, or a snow shovel and ice melt from Harts Hardware.
For more information on snow removal, the Department has created an informational brochure that provides a general overview of their snow and ice program, including important bylaws, frequently asked questions, winter tips and the winter parking ban. It is also intended to make all aware of the combined roles community members and the Town has in providing safe streets and sidewalks during snow and ice emergencies. A hard copy of this brochure is available at DPW Office at Town Hall and electronically on the Town’s website (DPW Departmentà Publications/Rules & Regulations).
Wakefield is now a Mass in Motion community! Mass in Motion, an initiative of the Mass Department of Public Health, is focused on promoting healthy eating and active living by changing the environment in which we live, work and play. In other words, making the healthy choice, the easy choice for all Melrose and Wakefield residents.
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