Community Corner

Who Is Supposed to Shovel the Sidewalk, and Other Snowy Rules

We were curious about the town's rules related to sidewalk-shoveling and snow removal.

Patch readers have asked us the following question: "Who is responsible for clearing the sidewalks in town?"

The answer: The owner of the home abutting the sidewalk in question. And you've got six hours to do that, including applying sand or salt if needed. See below for the complete bylaw as it relates to this issue.

The following is a reminder from the Department of Public Works on bylaws pertaining to Northborough's roadways during the winter months.

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SNOW ON PUBLIC WAYS
Any property owner displacing snow from privately owned property onto a public way, or responsible for displacing snow from privately owned property onto a public way, shall be subject to a fine of fifty dollars ($50).

PARKING
No person shall park a vehicle on either side of any street in Northborough between the hours of midnight and 8 a.m., effective from the period Dec. 1 through March 31.

No person shall park a vehicle in any of the following places, and vehicles found parked in violation of the provisions of this section may be moved by or under the direction of an officer and at the expense of the owner to a place where parking is permitted:
A. Within an intersection.
B. Upon any sidewalk.
C. Upon any crosswalk.
D. Upon the roadway in a business or residential district where parking is permitted unless both wheels on the right side of the vehicle are within twelve (12) inches of the curb or edge of the roadway, except where angle parking is required.
E. Upon any roadway where the parking of a vehicle will not leave a clear and
unobstructed lane at least ten (10) feet wide for passing traffic.
F. Upon any street or highway within ten (10) feet of a fire hydrant.
G. Upon or in front of any private road or driveway without the consent of the owner of said private road or driveway.
H. Upon any street or highway within twenty (20) feet of an intersecting way, except alleys.

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SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL FROM SIDEWALKS
The owner or person having care of any property abutting on any sidewalk shall, within six (6) hours after any accumulation of snow cause the same to be removed therefrom and shall, if such sidewalk becomes icy or otherwise slippery, cause the same to be covered with sand or other suitable substance.

 


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