The Southwick Board of Selectmen still have no answer for property owners on College Highway wondering how to plow the new sidewalks. (File photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – Halfway into winter, the Board of Selectmen still have no answer for property owners on College Highway wondering how to plow the new sidewalks.
Current town bylaws call for abutters of sidewalks to clear sidewalks of snow within 24 hours of a storm. The problem is that now that there are sidewalks – without tree belts – property owners must clear snow packed onto sidewalks by plows.
Selectmen have been searching for a way to help deal with the problem and had planned to lease a tractor that could handle the situation. However, a few wrenches were thrown into that plan this week.
“It’s my understanding that piece of equipment is no longer available,” said Chairman Arthur Pinell.
Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart said finding that same piece of equipment locally would be nearly impossible. In addition to equipment difficulty, town counsel rendered an opinion on the town’s liability in plowing the sidewalks and said if the town did clear the College Highway sidewalks, it would have to take them on fully.
“We’re up against a road block between the insurance issue and lack of equipment availability,” said Pinell. “If we are going go pursue this we need to consider heavy salting on the sidewalks. If we’re going to take on the project we have to take on the whole project – there is no middle.”
“I don’t think so either,” agreed Selectwoman Tracy Cesan.
Selectman Russell Fox has been a proponent of alleviating the problem for property owners.
“It’s a no-win situation,” said Fox. “The state created this and it’s s safety issue, but it’s unreasonable to expect people to remove snow banks.”
Fox said he wished the board came to a decision sooner.
“It’s unfortunate we procrastinated a little too long,” he said. “I would still like to look at getting a machine.”
Fox also suggested having town attorney Kenneth Albano visit the sidewalks to see how they are, directly next to the street.
Cesan asked how they should proceed.
“Right now we have no options. We need Mike (Dempko) to see if we can find this equipment,” said Cesan.
“We could call around and see if there is a machine in the New England area,” said Pinell. “If we can get one, we should pursue it, and we have to deal with the salt – we have got to go full boat.”
The board wants to also speak to the Southwick Economic Development. Committee on the matter moving forward.
