PERRY — With the snow piles right around the corner the Perry Village Board is making the effort to clarify their sidewalk snow removal policy.
The current law in Perry states, “Every occupant of land and every owner of vacant land fronting on sidewalks in the Village of Perry shall keep said sidewalk clean and clear of ice, snow and other obstacles. If such occupant or owner shall fail to remove such ice, snow or other obstruction before 9:00 a.m. of each day, then the Superintendent of Public Works shall cause the same to be removed and such occupant or owner shall pay the cost of such removal.”
The Board is wishing to clarify three areas of the local law: the reporting of sidewalks that have not been cleared by the homeowner, enforcing the method of the existing law, and assisting those who are unable to maintain the sidewalks themselves.
The proposed changes in the local law would clarify how and by what means the Superintendent would be notified of a violation of the three foot wide clearing for pedestrians, permit the owner that after 3 days of written notice be allowed three days to remedy the situation (current law states that no notice be given) before clearing and charging the homeowners tax bill for the service, and accept a call list of shoveling contractors who agree to be listed and provide the list to the homeowner upon request or with any violation notice.
The Village currently plows sidewalks as a ‘courtesy’ in which the frequency during snow storms depends upon equipment and personnel availability.