Here's what the Municipal Code has to say about snow and ice on sidewalks:
Sec. 13:7-1. Obligation to remove snow and ice.
The owner or tenant of lands abutting or bordering upon the sidewalks of public streets shall remove all snow and ice from that part of any paved sidewalk lying in front of his respective premises within twelve (12) hours of daylight after the snow and ice has fallen or formed thereon.
(R.O. 1957, 14:7-1, as amended Apr. 17, 1961)
The Code states that the city can remove snow and ice if necessary and place a lien for the cost on a property, though I don't know how feasible that is when the Public Works Division has its hands full cleaning municipal parking lots and sidewalks. Certainly if a couple of examples were made and publicized, scofflaw property owners might try to comply in order to avoid having liens placed on their buildings.
More snow is expected today. Responsible property owners will no doubt clear it away and the heedless ones will just let another layer accumulate. Time to set an example?
--Bernice
I think the city needs to start giving out tickets for uncleared sidewalks. The sidewalk in front of the office building on the corner of 7th and Park is a dangerous mess. Maybe the city should take that building and use it as a City Hall annex since the one we have is woefully undersized for the uses given it.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea Bob, let us expand government some more and take another property off the tax rolls.
DeleteMaybe we should make it a church.
It's way past time! There are many ordinances that are not enforced perhaps we need more hourly employees to enforce them instead of adding new positions on the higher end. It's outright dangerous as a pedestrian right now unclear sideways pushes people to walk on the street because its clearer yet some streets are so narrow only 1 car can pass on what was a 2 way street. A few blocks from city hall Swains and the Crescent church have no cleared the sidewalks at a very busy intersection. The abandoned green house on Park and Crescent across from library is another hazard. Sure people trample through the snow packing it down but that turns to ice easily! So when someone slips falls and gets injured on the ice, who's responsible? Or even worse what if someone gets hit by a car in the street because sidewalks not clear, who's responsible then???? Chances are we will hear its too hard to enforce. But DPW has done a great job with all this snow keeping streets clear despite all the street parking which makes it difficult in some neighborhoods
ReplyDeletewhy are people ignoring the signs,that say-no parking when road is snow covered? look at east 7th str.no one is paying attention.so-give out a few tickets.they might learn.
ReplyDeleteEast Front Street, at least between Richmond and Berckman needs to tow snowbird cars parked since last fall! They put signs up this week, yet the cars remain!
ReplyDeleteLast night's snow and sub-freezing temps have left most sidewalks an icy mess. I walked around the corner this morning and was on ONE clear sidewalk properly done on Berckman when the woman who lived there stepped out. I thanked her for actually clearing and salting her walk, pointing out all the way either way to the corners of the block where others hadn't cleared. Thank you so much lady in the duplex for getting up early this morning and taking care of business! I've had to take taxis back and forth to the train station as I can't make it through the sidewalks there, I can't walk in the streets because half of them are narrowed due to snow/ice accumulation and snowbird cars. The city needs to do something!
Those sloppy and inconsiderate citizens of Plainfield need to understand that Plainfield no longer is a victim, no longer panders to those with self interests, and no longer accepts excuses. Be responsible, stop being selfish and start living as a community - or GET FINED!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAn example of there being "No Jobs" around. Well guess what ... there are jobs ... plenty of them. Sure some may not pay much or be free [for a friend or relative] but so many things need to be done ... and everyone says "The Government should do something about it !" Turn off your MTV and get yourself in gear.
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