SNOW REMOVAL IN MIDDLETOWN
FROM CHRIS HOLDEN, DIRECTOR OF MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC WORKS
On Main Street and Court Street only, when you or your contractor is shoveling the sidewalk in front of your business (building), please PUSH THE SNOW INTO THE STREET. DO NOT leave it piled on the edge of the sidewalk. At night, when businesses are closed, the Public Works Dept. will remove all snow at the edge/curbing of the street. Leaving snow at the edge of the sidewalk can make it difficult and hazardous for pedestrians to reach the sidewalks from their cars, place money in the parking meters and so forth.
All Middletown Properties:
§ 262-19. Removal of Snow on Sidewalks; Fine.
(A)The owner, agent of the owner, or occupant of premises bordering on any street or public place within the town where there is an established sidewalk: shall cause to be removed there from any and all ice, sleet, debris or any other obstruction within 24 hours after a weather-related event. Any formation of ice upon a sidewalk: shall be removed immediately, except when weather conditions are such as to make the removal of ice from a sidewalk impracticable, the sidewalk: shall be made safe and convenient for travel by covering the ice with sand, salt, or other suitable substance that will provide adequate traction.
(B) Whenever any owner; agent of the owner, or occupant of premises, as herein defined, whose duty it is to remove snow and ice or to otherwise make sidewalks safe for public travel, shall fail, refuse or neglect to comply with the same or shall otherwise fail to comply with the requirements 'of subsection (A), then said person or entity shall be issued a $75 fine for the first violation.
(C) The fine will increase by $25 for each storm thereafter if sidewalks are not properly cleared as described above. Said fine shall never exceed $250 for any storm, although each storm that results in sidewalks not being cleared will be considered a separate violation and subject to a separate fine.
(D) Any fines not promptly paid will be referred to the City's Collection Firm.
(E) In addition to fines, the City may cause such snow, ice, sleet, debris or other obstruction.to be removed from the sidewalk: and make the cost of such removal a lien on the property abutting the obstructed sidewalk.
Keeping our sidewalks free of ice and snow is the neighborly thing to do…and it’s the law!
Together, we are responsible for keeping the City of Middletown safe and comfortable for winter walking. For your own benefit and to help your neighbors, people pushing strollers or using wheelchairs, and the many individuals, including children who walk, please do your part!
When you shovel snow and clear ice:
- Shovel the sidewalks on all sides of your property, the full width of the sidewalk down to the bare pavement.
- Remove all ice from sidewalks. After the sidewalk is clear, sprinkling a little sand can help prevent slipping on frosty sidewalks.
- Sand, with a salt mixture, is provided at City Yard, free of charge. Just bring a five-gallon bucket.
- Pile snow onto your yard. It's against the law to shovel snow into the street.
- If you have a corner property, clear curb cuts at corners and crosswalks to the street gutter.
Avoid a ticket:
- If the City 'of Middletown receives a complaint or discovers that a sidewalk is not properly cleared within 24 hours of a storm event, a representative of the Public Works Department will issue a citation with a fine. This fine will increase $25 per storm thereafter when you fail to properly clear your sidewalks. Any fines not promptly paid will be referred to a collection firm.
Remember:
- You are as responsible for clearing ice on your sidewalks as clearing snow. Ice can be more dangerous and intimidating than snow.
- The sooner arid more completely you shovel, the less likely ice will form.
- Make arrangements for someone to take over while you are on vacation.
Want to Go the Extra Mile?
- Are there neighbors on your street who are elderly, have a disability, or may have a hard time shoveling for any reason? Work with your neighbors to give a hand and ensure that your entire block is safe and accessible to all.
Full details on Middletown's snow removal policy can be found at: https://www.middletownct.gov/920/Winter-Snow-Information.
Questions? Contact Chris Holden at Chris.Holden@MiddletownCT.gov or call me at 860-638-4850.