As the first snow of the season hits the region (and in anticipation of a white Christmas), AgeWell West Roxbury and WalkBoston are teaming up to take on the New England winter with the formation of a new Snow Committee.

At our first meeting last week, I was asked to co-chair of the Snow Committee along with Alan McKinnon of the Gardens at Gethsemane. The committee will be lead by Janice Williams of Ethos and Rosa Carson of Walk Boston. The committee's goal is to help prepare seniors in the community for snowstorms and to assist them with snow removal once the inclement weather arrives. 

When I was a kid I saw a snowstorm as an opportunity. After shoveling out my parent's home, I would hit the streets with my shovel and clear out the driveways of as many of my neighbors as possible. The goal was to make a little money while helping the people in the community, many of whom were seniors who needed a hand. 

One of the Snow Committee's goals is to reach out to neighborhood teens and match them with elderly residents who need help with snow removal. Young people who participate would be able to earn community service hours, a graduation requirement of many of the city's public and private high schools. We also plan to develop a database of local snow removal contractors to make it easier for business owners to hire help to clear their properties.

Now that winter is officially here, I would encourage all residents to familiarize themselves with the city's snow removal guidelines, which are available on the city's website and look under the "Know Snow" section for more details.  Commercial property owners and homeowners could face significant fines if they do not remove snow from their property in a timely fashion.  They also put members of the community, especially the elderly, at risk of injury.  So it is important for all of us to know the city's regulations.  

I also urge residents to check in on elderly neighbors during snowstorms and especially frigid temperatures.  Winter can be trying for all of us, but it is an especially difficult time of year for our older residents. As travel by vehicle or by foot becomes more difficult, it is our responsibility to make sure our seniors can move around our community as easily and as safely as possible.

If you have ideas for how the Snow Committee can help or would like to help out, please call my office at 617-635-4220.  Seniors can also call Ethos at 617-477-6616 for more information about AgeWell West Roxbury.