BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — A Boston City Councilor wants potholes on private ways to receive the same level of pothole repair as public roads get.
Currently, the Department of Public Works can fill potholes on private ways with dirt, gravel, or cinder, but not asphalt as used on public roads.
Asphalt is more durable and lasts longer than other temporary repair materials.
Brian Worrell has proposed a city ordinance that private ways receive the same level of pothole repair as public roads, as long as the property owners of the private ways agree to pay half the cost.
Worrell said it's only right that people get the same level of pothole maintenance regardless of whether they live along a public or a private way.
He also said private way property owners pay the same tax rate as owners whose property abuts public ways.
Worrell added that while many private ways in Boston are privately owned and maintained, they are legally accessible and open to the public.
Under his proposed ordinance, pothole repair expenses on private ways would be shared 50-50 by public funds and the private owners.
Some Dorchester residents said they do not support using public money to fix potholes on private ways. "No, not at all," said one. "I don't think they should."
Another resident agreed that he's against the ordinance. "Keep the public funds for the public access ... not no private ways."
And one person made clear he also opposes the ordinance. "We got enough problems out here," he said. "We don't need to be worried about that."
City Councilor Erin Murphy said she supports the ordinance.
But she also said there should be a bigger discussion about whether the city should even continue to have private ways.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojas.bsky.social) reports.