Swampscott to vote on snow removal bylaw changes

SWAMPSCOTT – After hearing the requisite reports of various town committees and boards, Town Meeting will get down to work by tackling proposed changes to the town bylaws when it convenes Monday evening.Article 3 on the Town Meeting warrant asks Town Meeting members to approve sweeping changes to the general bylaw that addresses snow and ice removal.The existing bylaw, which has been criticized for being too ambiguous, prohibits obstructing a public street or sidewalk by placing or causing to be placed therein any article, including snow.The article, proposed by the town By-Law Review Committee, is more specific than the existing bylaw and it clearly outlines the duties of the property owner in regards to snow and ice removal.According to the committee, the proposed bylaw is modeled after existing bylaws in Salem, Lynn and Boston. If passed, it would require property owners to clear the fully paved path or a path that is a minimum of 42-inches wide within 24 hours after the snow stops. Sidewalks abutting businesses would have to be cleared of snow and ice within six hours after the snow stops, if it ceases to fall in the daytime, and before noon if the snow stops during the night.The sidewalk obstruction ordinance also requires property owners, lessees and occupants to keep sidewalks clean and free of other obstructions including vegetation, dirt and debris. Overhanging vegetation and other obstructions that obstruct free passage along the entire width of the paved area of the sidewalk must also be removed if the new bylaw is passed at Town Meeting.Sandwich board or tent signs, which are most commonly used by real estate agents, must not be larger than 30 inches by 28 inches. The signs are allowed only with approval of the Board of Selectmen and the bylaw requires prompt removal after the advertised event.If the town adopts the bylaw, a first time offender could be fined $25 and each subsequent offense is punishable by a fine of $50. The proposed bylaw allows that each day that a violation exists it could be considered a separate violation with a maximum fine of $150 per storm for failure to remove snow and ice.