By George P. Hassett

City officials should revamp the snow emergency parking policy and implement a system in which  alternate sides of the street are used for parking during snow storms, said Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz at last Thursday‚Äôs Board of Aldermen meeting.

Currently, parking during snow emergencies is allowed only on the odd side of the street, while the even side usually gets the snow plowed their way. Gewirtz said it seemed unfair only one side of the street takes the brunt of the plowing.

Decades ago, the city alternated which side cars could park on during storms. Gewirtz is advocating for a return to this policy.

Alderman-at-Large Dennis Sullivan said he hears complaints about the current policy “almost nightly.” He said it seems fair both sides of the street share an equal burden.

However, at Thursday’s meeting other aldermen said they oppose any changes. Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pero said the city has worked to educate citizens on the policy for decades now and a change in that policy would be unproductive for local residents. Alderman-at-Large John M. Connolly said, “unless there is some extraordinary public safety concerns, and they should be reviewed, if nothing’s broken, let’s not try and fix it.”

Ward 5 Alderman Sean O’Donovan said it was a public safety matter. He said most fire hydrants are in the city are on the odd side of the street so the snow is pushed to the even side.

Police Captain Paul Upton said if Gewirtz’ proposal is adopted the city will lose 2,000 parking spaces on days when parking is allowed on the even side of the street. For some reason, he said, there are 2,000 more parking spaces on the odd side of the street in Somerville, compared to the even side.

‚ÄúWe can‚Äôt afford to lose those extra spaces,‚Äù he said. ‚ÄúIf there is going to be a change in the policy we need to think about if there is a disadvantage to losing 2,000 parking spaces during a snowstorm.‚Äù