Code Time-Snow Time
February 22, 2010
SNOW!!
It has been a long time since we have had this much snow, ain’t it great?
I thought that this would be a good time to talk about snow removal by the residents, businesses and the Town.
Recently Chapter 84, Property Maintenance was revised, reviewed and approved by the Board of Commissioners. Below you will find the new section addressing clearing sidewalks of snow and ice.
§ 84-62. Removal of snow and/or ice from sidewalks.
Hazardous Condition: The mayor and board of commissioners hereby declare that an accumulation of snow and/or ice on public sidewalks is a hazardous condition and creates an emergency situation. Within twelve (12) hours of the cessation of any fall of snow, sleet, or freezing rain, the owner, tenant, occupant, lessee, or person responsible for a lot or part of a lot abutting a paved sidewalk shall remove or cause to be removed any snow and/or ice from the abutting sidewalk for a width of three (3) feet, or the width of the sidewalk, whichever is less.
- In the event that the snow and/or ice on the sidewalk has become so hard that it cannot be removed without the likelihood of damage to the sidewalk, the person or persons charged with its removal shall, within 12 hours, cause enough snow/ice-melt and/or abrasive compound to be placed on the sidewalk to make travel on the sidewalk reasonably safe and shall, as soon as weather permits, cause the sidewalk to be thoroughly cleaned.
- A violation of this section is deemed to be a municipal infraction. The penalty for violation of this section shall be a fine of $50.00.
- a. Each day the sidewalks remains not cleaned as required shall constitute a separate offense.
The following is a new section to assist the Town in clearing the streets and keeping the clear.
§ 84-63. Depositing snow and/or ice onto a public street.
- It shall be unlawful to deposit snow and/or ice cleared from the sidewalks and/or driveways onto the traveled portion of any public street.
- A violation of this section is deemed to be a municipal infraction. The penalty for violation of this section shall be a fine of $50.00.
There may be times when we suspend the 12 hour time limit for clearing sidewalks, as was the case of the snow the weekend of February 5th and 6th, . We ask that you make an effort to clear you walks as soon as possible, but we will allow you a longer period of time to accomplish it.
Along with clearing you sidewalks, you should also clear out around your utilities. This would allow the Town’s Electric Department, the phone company as well as the cable company access to these boxes.
The most important roadside item to clear is the fire hydrant. If there would be a need for it and it cannot be found or gotten to, property or lives could be lost. Take to time to locate and clean around them.
In Chapter 84 there is a new section regarding the placing, throwing, blowing, or pushing snow into a public street.
§ 84-63. Depositing snow and/or ice onto a public street.
- It shall be unlawful to deposit snow and/or ice cleared from the sidewalks and/or driveways onto the traveled portion of any public street.
- A violation of this section is deemed to be a municipal infraction. The penalty for violation of this section shall be a fine of $50.00.
Placing snow into the street is not acceptable. This section also applies to any contractor clearing parking lots or driveways.
This happens after every snowfall. The Town employees work hard to get the streets and alleys clear of snow. Then residents or contractors come behind them and place snow back into the streets. The employees have to come back through the street to clear what has been placed into the streets. The Town understands how frustrating it can be to have snow pushed onto your sidewalk after you have cleared it, but the roads must be opened and cleared.
There are places within the Town that have a very limited space to place snow from your sidewalks. Throwing it into the street is not the place. It creates a traffic hazard and more work for the Town employees who have already cleared the streets. If an accident is caused by the snow that has been placed into the street after it has been cleared you could be held responsible for any damage or injuries caused by your actions.
Another place you might want to clear out around is your mailbox.
The Town of Thurmont asks that you assist the dedicated and hard working employees who work through the night to get your street open. If you can, move your vehicles off the street to allow for easier snowplowing. Remove basketball nets and other items placed along the curb and in the street that would make plowing you street more difficult. Our employees are some of the safest and best snowplow operators in the county, but sometimes accidents happen. The chance of an accident can be reduced if roadside hazards are removed. Let’s give the snowplow operators a break, don’t throw snow into the street, move your vehicles off the street if possible, and remove all basketball nets and other items placed in the street and along the curb.
I would like to thank our Town employees for their efforts in getting the Town open and running.
Kenny Oland
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