Ordinance Defeated

S'no go with ordinance
By Monica Deady/ Staff Writer
Friday, September 17, 2004
The Watertown Tab
A proposed snow ordinance that would require residents to shovel their walks or face fines was not approved by the Town Council Wednesday night after staunch public opposition, as well as the council's questioning of liability of residents and the town for injuries on an unshoveled walkway.
The ordinance was voted down, 8-1, with only the chairman of the committee who wrote it, Town Councilor John Portz, voting in favor of it.
The proposed ordinance would have required the police to give tickets to residents who, 12 hours after the cessation of a snowfall, had not shoveled their sidewalks, much like the law that is in place for business owners.
It had stipulations for people who had snow from snowplows forced onto their sidewalks, and did not force elderly or handicapped people to shovel.
Several residents spoke, all in opposition, questioning the liability, rising insurance costs and the reason for the ordinance in the first place. Others feared residents would shovel and suffer injury or heart attacks in doing so.
Instead of the snow ordinance, the town will spread a message of courtesy and urge people to be helpful to each other while shoveling.
Town Councilor Marilyn Devaney suggested that the town add a sentence to its communication about snow and the winter parking ban asking people to shovel as best as they can and to help their neighbors.
Monica Deady can be reached at mdeady@cnc.com.