Town Board Members Will Designate What Sidewalks Should be Shoveled

Complaints from several residents about the town's sidewalks policy have caused town board members to consider changing the law.

Residents in the area of Mark Road, Edcris Road and Sherry Drive named Carmine Filippone as their designated speaker. He and town code inspector Joe Hughes discussed the matter on with board members.

During a previous meeting, Councilman Jim Martorano requested that board members that no summonses are issued to residents who haven't shoveled the sidewalks in front of their properties. The amendment to the sidewalk policy passed 3-1, with Supervisor Susan Siegel casting the opposing vote, until further possible amendments could be made to the law.

"Our main purpose sitting here is to make people's lives easier," Martorano said. 

By law all property owners with abutting sidewalks must shovel them within 24 hours of a storm. The fine for not doing so is $250. 

Those residents who had received warnings wanted town board members to change the law, so that they are not required to shovel their sidewalks.

According to a 1978 amendment to the sidewalk snow removal law, the "requirement for the removal of such snow and ice shall not be applicable in the event that such snow and/or ice has been deposited on sidewalks by any governmental or municipal agency."

Martorano said the there was "wisdom" behind the amendment. 

The sidewalks are town-owned properties but in the event of snow, residents are required to clear them, Martorano said. 

Albert Krauss, said the sidewalks in question have not been well maintained and they are impossible to clear because pieces of asphalt get picked up in the snow blower. The sidewalks that "go nowhere" were once designed to lead to a school, but that ideas wasn't followed through, he said.

Planning director John Tegeder and town attorney Jeannette Koster will help town board members designate what sidewalks in the hamlet parts of town residents would be exempt from shoveling. There are sidewalks leading toward Lakeland High School on East Main Street that students walk on. 

Councilman Terrence Murphy said he wanted the time limit in which residents would have to shovel the snow be extended to 48 hours.

Board members will prepare a draft of the law by March 8, advertise it for a public hearing on March 15. The public hearing is planned for April 5.