Somerville Traffic and Parking Office - Apply for your snow emergency ticket waiver here

Somerville Snow Emergency Tickets   Cambridge real estate agents from Coldwell Banker tour our offices’ new listings every Wednesday.  Today, despite the dire forecasts, we had a dozen or more new listings to see in Cambridge and Somerville. 

Well, as it turned out, there wasn’t a storm.  In fact as we finished our tour it was 36 degrees and sprinkling.

Despite the clear streets the meter maids parking enforcement crews were out in force.  While viewing a beautiful condo at the Park Street Lofts in Somerville several agents received tickets.

Despite the lack of snow, despite the fact that there was no mention of snow emergency restrictions on the parking signs, and despite the fact that the cars were parked for less than ten minutes – perhaps less than five – several agents returned to find $100 tickets on their windshields.  That’s right – $100!!

Somerville Waives Snow Emergency Tickets

Somerville’s made the news before for excessively aggressive tagging and towing in advance of storms that never materialized.  I imagine they got complaints today – or perhaps the writing was on the wall and they decided to do the right thing.

Mayor Curtatone  has announced an abatement program for snow emergency tickets issued today, Feb. 10, 2010, for the storm that wasn’t. The snow emergency was lifted at 6 pm.

To receive an abatement for your snow emergency Somerville ticket you’ll need to pay a visit to the Traffic and Parking office at 133 Holland Street or to City Hall on Highland Ave.  If your car was towed only the portion of the tow charge that goes to the City will be refunded.

Longfellow House on the new Cambridge parking sticker

Longfellow House On The New Cambridge Parking Sticker  I love the new picture of the Longfellow House on Brattle Street that’s on the 2010 Cambridge parking sticker. 

Jim Landfried took the winning photo in the 2010 Resident Parking Permit Photo Contest.  There’s a slideshow with all of the entrants on the city’s website - more than 80 beautiful photos of Cambridge through the seasons.

Tomorrow is the last day to get your parking sticker – or risk a ticket on Monday. 

To get a Cambridge parking permit you need:

• Your current automobile registration showing your car garaged at your Cambridge address
• $8.00 and money to pay any outstanding parking tickets
• A current utility bill sent to you at your Cambridge address - or -
• Two pieces of current mail sent to you at your Cambridge address (magazines don’t count)

The name on your proof of residence mail or bills must match the name on your vehicle registration. 

The Traffic and Parking Department is at 344 Broadway, Cambridge MA 02139

Don’t forget – tomorrow’s Friday so the office is only open from 8:30 am to noon.  Get there early and get in line.

Some of my windows are a bit drafty and since I’m not a big fan of replacement windows (subject of a blog post to come!) these older windows are here to stay.

Pulling the shades down at night and letting the sun in during the day is a good idea. Some people do the plastic on the windows trick but I’ve always worried about taking the paint off when the plastic is removed in the spring. And insulated shades are a super idea that I’ve yet to implement. Window rehab would make a difference and weatherstripping would help I’m sure.

Rope caulk keeps out winter drafts

But if you’re not terribly handy or don’t want to spend a lot of money my method to stop the drafts is easy – and cheap. 

This box of flexible rope caulk that I picked up at Tag’s in Porter Square for $6.39 does the trick.  It’s as simple as can be to unroll the clay-like caulk and seal any cracks where the sill meets the frame of your windows.  A box or two will do you.

Maybe it’s my imagination but my house always feels warmer after I get the windows caulked. 

I first saw rope caulk on the windows of a Union Square condo I listed. It was springtime so we had to remove the caulk to open the windows. Afterwards I realized that the caulk and the tighter seal had meant the condo was quieter so if you’re on a busy street it may help to keep noise down too.

For less than $15 rope caulk can’t be beat as a wintertime fix.

Stay warm!

Trees left for recycling must be bare – free of tinsel, not bagged, and without a stand attached.

Wreaths and garlands are wrapped in wire and cannot be left for mulch pickup.  Wreaths and garlands should be disposed of with your trash.

Christmas Tree Pickup in Cambridge

Cambridge recycled over 4700 trees last year.  Trees are chipped and spread as mulch in City landscaping projects.

Cambridge will pick up trees for mulching on your regular trash and recycle day from December 28th to January 8, 2010.

Somerville Christmas Tree Recycling

Somerville picks up trees for mulching during January.  After January trees that are left out will be picked up as regular trash.  For more information call the Somerville DPW at 617-666-3311.

Arlington Christmas Tree Pickup Schedule 

Leave your Christmas tree in Arlington curbside for recycling on your regular trash day during the week of January 11 to 15, 2010. 

Watertown Christmas Tree Recylcing

Xmas trees will be picked up curbside during January and chipped for recycling.  Call the Watertown DPW at 617-972-6420 for more information.

 Medford Christmas Tree Disposal

In Medford you can put your tree on the curb on your regular trash pickup day.  Supposedly Waste Management brings trees to a compost facility. 

Belmont Christmas Tree Pickup

Unfortunately in Belmont trees are left out with the trash and are not recylced. 

Don’t see your Massachusetts town listed here or missed your local Christmas tree recycling pickup?  Here’s a link to a local landscaping company that accepts organic materials for dropoff.  I’m not sure of costs entailed - and they sell mulch too - call Landscape Express in Woburn at 781-933-3818 for more info.

It’s really too bad that some towns don’t turn Christmas trees into compost.  Some Boy Scout troops are starting tree pickup projects where, for a small donation, Scouts will come by and pick up trees for recycling.  If you can’t get  your town on board with turning trees into mulch perhaps a project by the Boy Scouts would be well received.

Cambridge homeowners are required to shovel the sidewalks in front of their properties.  Even if you weren’t liable for a $50 per day fine it’s simply the neighborly thing to do! 

Cambridge ordinances require that  property owners must remove snow from all sidewalks within 12 hours after snow stops falling in the daytime or by 1 pm when snow has fallen during the night.  Ice must be removed or melted within six hours of the time ice forms.

Nothing is more aggravating than navigating an icy, snowy stretch where a homeowner or business has left the sidewalk unshoveled. 

So turn ‘em in!

The phone hotline and the online form are both anonymous.

The Cambridge snow hotline is 617-349-4903.  Or you can report an uncleared Cambridge sidewalk online.

Photo by TheeErin

Everybody wants a bushy Christmas tree - Walgreen's in Arlington

The Boy Scouts have a lot at the corner of Cameron Ave and Mass Ave in Cambridge.  They used to set up at the end of Day Street where Pemberton’s was eventually built.  They’ve lost that high profile site so I was glad to see they have some large signs directing people to this year’s location. They’re set up by the bike path behind the new apartments on Mass Ave next to the end of the streetcar line in North Cambridge.

There’s also a nice selection set up at the front of the Walgreen’s parking lot in Arlington center.  That’s their sign above- “bushy trees” – just what everybody is looking for.  I can also attest that they sell very fragrant trees – and a Christmas tree that smells like a Christmas tree is high on my list for sure.

Last year my tree went up on December 24th. I’ve resolved to do better this year but time’s a fleeting.  See you at the tree lot!

Special Election Sign in Cambridge

It’s Primary Day in Massachusetts.  On Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009 voters in Massachusetts will go to the polls in the special primary to choose candidates to vie for the late Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat.

It’s disheartening that expectations for voter turnout are so low. Not only will our new Senator have large shoes to fill after Teddy Kennedy’s long and illustrious career but the seat has previously been held by

• John F. Kennedy
• Daniel Webster
• John Quincy Adams

So – take a moment from your day and head to the polls.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

And don’t forget – the special state election is scheduled for Tuesday, January 19. 2010.  The deadline to register to vote in the Special Election is Dec. 30, 2009.

Certified Wildlife Habitat in Cambridge

When I spotted this sign in the Agassiz neighborhood during our weekly tour of new Cambridge real estate listings I couldn’t help but be intrigued. How did this city yard become a Certified Wildlife Habitat?

Turns out it’s a program from the National Wildlife Federation, which I know best as the publishers of Ranger Rick, my brother’s favorite magazine when he was a kid and nature buff.

To qualify your yard – no matter how small – as a Certified Wildlife Habitat you’ll need:

• Food sources
• Water sources
• Places for cover
• Places to raise young
• Sustainable gardening

Read more about the Certified Wildlife Habitat program.

It sounds like a fun and rewarding project for the whole family.  I’m planning on adding a bird bath to my yard as I work my way through the steps.