New Britain Enforces Fines for Uncleared Sidewalks

With yet more snow on the way, New Britain officials are reminding residents to clear sidewalks near their homes or face fines.

New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart said the city plans to enforce a city ordinance requiring residents to clear walkways within a six-hour window of snow or ice accumulation.

“The owner, tenant or custodian responsible for the maintenance of property located adjacent to sidewalks on public streets shall, within six (6) hours of daylight following the accumulation of ice or snow upon the sidewalks, have such accumulation removed. If such accumulation cannot be completely removed, sand or other gritty material shall be sprinkled on the sidewalk.” the ordinance states.

If you do not remove the snow from your sidewalks in this window or clear abutting street corners where pedestrians cross, New Britain police will give you a warning and then a $50 ticket if you haven't cleared it within a day of the warning. The city's public works and municipal development department will clear the walkways still snow- and ice-covered after another day goes by, but if it comes to that point then the city will also "lien the property for the full cost of clearing."

“It is unacceptable that our schoolchildren should have to walk or stand in the street in order to get to school or board their school bus,” Stewart said. “I fully understand that we have absorbed a tremendous amount of snow in a very short time, but the conditions on many sidewalks constitute a real hazard to our children and other pedestrians. Either clear your sidewalks or we will clear them for you – at your expense.”

Public works will be digging into the snowbanks to allow for wider clearance in the roadways for school buses to pass through safely, as requested by the mayor's office. Crews are checking on the roads to make sure fire, police and EMS personnel can access each one.

“There is no question that the volume of snow on the ground continues to impair driver sightlines and accessibility across the region,” the Mayor continued. “I ask that everyone drive with an extra measure of caution. Do not park in the street if you have another option – regardless of whether there is a parking ban or not. As long as we all use common sense, we will get through the remainder of this winter just fine.”

People can report blocked or impassable sidewalks to the New Britain Police Department's Traffic Bureau at 860-826-3071.

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