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Snow rules call for common sense enforcement
By ETHAN SHOREY, Valley Breeze Managing Editor
PAWTUCKET – In a city where it can sometimes prove difficult to know what to do with all the snow, officials are planning to continue with a common sense approach to enforcement this winter, with no major changes planned.
Proposals in 2016 to double fines of $25, $50 and $100 for first, second and subsequent offenses, as well as to decrease the amount of time residents have to clear the sidewalks in front of their home after a storm, never went anywhere, according to officials.
But the City Council did approve an ordinance at the end of 2016 allowing residents to park on their front lawns during snowstorms, a measure designed to ease the burden for residents who don’t have access to paved driveways.
The city’s snow response remains a “tough balancing” act, said Wilder Arboleda, spokesman for Mayor Donald Grebien, as officials must weigh the mandate to get students to school safely with the need to punish property owners who refuse to comply with the rules.
“The safety of pedestrians walking in the snow, especially our children walking to school, the elderly population, and anyone with disabilities is of utmost importance after a snowstorm,” he said. “We will continue to work with all residents to ensure that snow can be picked up from sidewalks in a timely manner to allow the pedestrians to stay off of the street as always. The city will prioritize areas near schools and businesses where walking is most likely.”
Arboleda and Public Works Director Eric Earls say officials understand that not everyone is able to clear their sidewalks on their own and have to pay contractors or have volunteers do the work for them.
“We do not want to penalize them for not clearing the snow soon enough, either,” said Arboleda. “Snow is to be cleared within ‘the first 12 hours of daylight after the cessation of any snowstorm or after such snow shall have fallen from any building,’ according to the ordinance titled streets and sidewalks. This will allow for enough time to clear the sidewalk while not compromising the safety of our pedestrians.”
Grebien continues his Youth to Senior Snow Shoveling program to assist elderly residents who may not otherwise be able to clear sidewalks, said Arboleda.
“This program has continued to be a success over the past several years through the hard work of Senior Liaison Beth Roberge,” he said.
Call 401-729-0500, ext. 241, or email seniorsnowshoveling@pawtucketri.comfor more on the program.
Under the city rules for parking on non-paved areas during a storm, residents are allowed to do so with the permission of the property owner as long as vehicles are not on the sidewalk.
The city will typically declare a winter storm emergency if there is a forecast of two or more inches of snow. Once a winter storm emergency has been declared, an on-street parking ban is put into effect on all city streets and all vehicles must be moved off the street at that time. During parking bans, parking is also available at various municipal lots throughout the city.
