Be Neighborly
Winter weather can make daily tasks more challenging, especially for residents who are older, have disabilities, have young children, or are away from home. The solitary, short days of the season can also be emotionally isolating. By looking out for each other, we help keep our community safe, accessible, and connected.
- Check in on neighbors who may need extra support during storms or extreme cold.
- Offer to help shovel for those who cannot safely do it themselves.
- Share tools and supplies such as shovels, ice melt, salt, or winter clothing.
- Assist with small outdoor tasks like brushing snow off cars, moving trash bins, or bringing in packages.
- Provide a ride to the grocery store, medical appointments, or other essential trips during slippery conditions.
- Communicate weather alerts or City updates to neighbors who may not receive digital notifications.
By clearing snow and ice promptly, you’re not just maintaining your property—you’re improving safety for the whole neighborhood and complying with a local ordinance. Our community includes people of all ages and abilities, and accessible sidewalks allow everyone to move around freely and confidently.
- Clear the full width of the sidewalk adjacent to your property to ensure accessibility.
- Connect your sidewalk path to your neighbors' paths.
- Treat icy patches with salt or pet-safe ice melt.
- Remove snow and ice to from driveways, curb ramps, ADA detectable strips, fire hydrants, and walkways used by pedestrians.
Donating new or gently used goods helps ensure families have warmth, joy, and nourishment during difficult seasons. If you have the means to give, we suggest donating winter clothing, shelf-stable food, and new toys.
- Clothing: Donate new or lightly used winter jackets and warm clothing to thrift stores. The Library can accept donations of hats, scarves, gloves, and socks.
- Food: Donate food to the Watertown Food Pantry.
- Toys: New, unwrapped toys can be donated at the Whooley Foundation Toy Drive.