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From the Town Code http://ecode360.com/10434215?highlight=sidewalk#10434215
§ 147-1
Owners of premises in which business may be conducted and which premises abut a public way shall, within 12 hours after a snowstorm, remove all accumulations of snow and ice from the sidewalk in front of said premises.
§ 147-2
[Added 12-9-1987 by Bylaw Amendment 87-114]
Whoever violates the provision of § 147-1 above shall forfeit and pay for each violation a fine not exceeding $25.
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| taken on a walk Sunday morning, approx 12 hours after the storm ended |
Businesses should certainly remove snow from sidewalks on a timely basis, but it's not always easy for homeowners to do the same, especially where the sidewalks are right at the edge of the street. In those cases, the plows clearing the roads push the snow onto the sidewalk, making it virtually impossible for a homeowner to clear, even with a snowblower (and it's far worse on corners). It's easier when there's a grass "barrier" between the road and the sidewalk (curious - who actually "owns" the sidewalk - the town or the adjacent property owner?).
ReplyDeleteAnd then there's the question of who deals with it when there's melting and refreezing, and the sidewalk gets icy.
For residential, it varies but usually it is the property owner with an easement for the town or public access.
DeleteWhen changing temp the challenges do rise
The section... 147-1 (and -2) pertain to a business only. Is that the only section in question? The terms "remove all" and "in front of" need work!
ReplyDeleteper the item on the Town Council agenda for last week, yes. This is the section referenced. http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/j3_snow_and_ice_removal.pdf
Deleteif this were to remain, it would require some refinements.
Delete