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Community Corner

DPW harrassment of seniors

I'm a 71 year old, retired senior citizen living alone and suffering back problems. I live on a fixed income and am trying to keep my home and make ends meet.  I have been receiving tickets/violations each morning in my mailbox for failure to completely clear snow and ice from my sidewalks. I can't do it myself.  I already pay a plowing service to clear my driveway and shovel the steps to my front door, and they are always clear.  This service charges $150.00 each trip, and sometimes two or three trips are required if it's a long storm, with the Town plows continually plowing me in.  This is a budget buster for me, so I can't afford any additional snow removal costs. Otherwise, I must use funds needed for basic living expenses. Town Meeting and administration are always lamenting that seniors can't keep their homes in Brookline and retire comfortably due to the high costs here. I love Brookline and am doing everything I can to stay here, but this intimidation and harassment by the Town/DPW may force me out.

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