Swampscott Town Meeting reviews snow bylaw

SWAMPSCOTT – Town Meeting got off to a slow start Monday evening. The introduction of town officials and numerous requisite committee reports took almost two hours so it was after 9 p.m. before Town meeting started tackling any articles.The first article it addressed was submitted by the By Law Review Committee and it was a bylaw regarding snow and ice removal on sidewalks. By Law Review Committee Vice-Chairman Jack Beermann explained the article was drafted in response to “an outcry from people after the first snowstorm.”Beermann said the bylaw, which is modeled after existing bylaws in neighboring communities would require property owners to clear sidewalks of snow and ice 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.If adopted the bylaw would allow a first time offender to be fined $25 and each subsequent offense could be punishable by a fine of $50. 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. It also includes overhanging vegetation and other obstructions that obstruct free passage along the entire width of the paved area of the sidewalk.Randy Chapman said the bylaw is an unfounded mandate that would require private property owners to take care of town owned property. He said enforcement could be a problem and he said the bylaw could be used as a tool by vindictive neighbors.A Pleasant Street resident said the town piles snow four feet high on his sidewalk and he is no longer physically able to shovel.”If I have to shovel my sidewalk I hope the town has the ambulance ready,” he said.Resident Phil Rotner said the goal of the bylaw is laudable but it is not fair to homeowners and is an “indirect tax.””Sidewalks are municipal property,” he said, “It is the responsibility of the town to maintain them.”Kelly Cunningham made a motion to indefinitely postpone action on the article and Town meeting voted by a wide margin not to take action on the article. Town Meeting will resume this evening at 7:15 p.m. at Swampscott High School.