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Snow Removal

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1. When does the countdown clock start ticking?

The 24 hour window for clearing of snow and/or ice begins when the Director of Public Works declares the event that caused the deposit of snow or ice to be over.

2. How will the end of the event be decided upon?

The Director of Public Works will use visual as well as scientific means to arrive at this conclusion. He will utilize the town’s weather service to determine if any further accumulation will occur.

3. How will the declaration of the end of the event be conveyed to the public?

The director will issue a statement that will be placed on ETV, utilizing the alert at the bottom of the screen and will have the same statement placed on the front page of the town’s website. Further, a press release will be issued to the local media. As new communication tools become available to the Town of Enfield, these tools will also be utilized for announcing the end of the snow event.

4. Who will be responsible for enforcement?

The Director of Public Works will ultimately responsible for enforcement.

5. How will inspection of the sidewalks in town be handled?

Following the expiration of the twenty-four hour period, town staff from Public Works, Development Services, Police, and other available staff, will inspect sidewalks to insure the code is being followed.

6. Will this be the only means to insure that residents and businesses are following the code?

No, as normal, residents can still report sidewalks that are not passable because of snow and/or ice build-up. Residents can "Report a Sidewalk” via the town's SeeClickFix web app or by calling the Enfield Police Department at 860-763-6400 (press 0 after connecting).

7. How will residents / businesses be notified of non-compliance?

Residents / businesses will be contacted immediately when they are in non-compliance. If the resident is not home, a citation will be left at the premises. Also, if the resident / business owner is not available, a follow-up letter will be sent.

8. What is the fine for not clearing snow and/or ice within the 24 hour time period?

$75 per occurrence with each day that the snow and/or ice is not removed considered a new occurrence. It is expected that payment will be made upon receipt of the citation. Payment can be made through the mail or in person to the Collector of Revenue.

9. What happens if the Resident or Business does not remove the snow and/or ice?

The town will utilize a contractor to remove the snow and/or ice.

10. How will the contractor be selected?

The town will be soliciting for competitive bids for this service by local snow removal contractors.

11. How much will it cost the resident / business to have the town remove the snow and/or ice from the sidewalk?

The town will levy a per foot charge for the removal. The starting rate will be $1 per linear foot of sidewalk. If the town has to go back a second (or third, fourth, etc.) time during the same season, the rate will be $2 per linear foot.

12. What if the resident / business does not pay the charge?

If the charge is not paid 30 days following the clearing of the sidewalk, the town will place a lien against the property.

13. The new ordinance says that there will be a $75 fine if sidewalks are not cleared of snow and/or ice within 24 hours. Is this in addition to the charges for cleaning?

Yes. Once the resident / business receives the citation for failure to remove the snow and/or ice, they will be responsible for paying the $75 fine in addition to any charges levied for cleaning of the sidewalk done by the town. If the fine is not paid it too will be placed as a lien against the property.

14. If I receive a citation in error, how do I contest it?

The code provides for a hearing process if you wish to contest the citation. The affected property owner or occupant would call the Town Manager’s Office at 860-253-6350 to ask for a hearing to be scheduled. The Town Manager will schedule the hearing with the appointed hearing officer. Depending upon the availability of the hearing officer, this hearing will be scheduled within a 2 week window following the request.

15. The code calls for the snow and/or ice to be removed from the entire width of the sidewalk. How will that be enforced?

Common sense will prevail in the interpretation of this section of the code. If you have a 48 inch width of sidewalk and you only clear a path 18 inches, then you would not be in compliance. However, if you clear 44 inches, you would be deemed in compliance.

16. I have a corner lot, is the intersection of my sidewalks that provide access to the road my responsibility?

Yes. Corner sections of sidewalks are the responsibility of the abutting property owner.

17. Am I still responsible to clean my sidewalk if I am on vacation or out of town when the 24 hours expires?

Yes. The code does not excuse any property owner, occupant, or business from clearing snow and/or ice following an event. If you are out of town or own property but do not live in Town, you will still be responsible for providing a safe sidewalk during the winter. Please plan accordingly and if you are not there make sure there is someone to look after your sidewalks.

18. The changes to the snow and ice removal code require the property owner to clear snow around fire hydrants. What if the hydrant is located on the property line between me and my neighbor?

Both you and your neighbor would be jointly responsible for clearing of the snow around the hydrant. If the town clears the snow around the hydrant and it is located on a property line, both property owners would be assessed a share of the cost.

19. Who decides if ice / snow is difficult or extremely difficult to remove?

The code refers to situations where the removal of ice is impossible or extremely difficult that the owner shall cause the sidewalk to be made safe for public travel by covering with sand or other suitable substance. Obviously, the initial assessment will be made by the owner of the property first. The code requires that the owner make an effort to make the sidewalk safe. However, another assessment will be made by the town, and if the owner has not tried in good faith to make the sidewalk safe, the owner will be cited and the situation will be rectified.