Council Members, Residents Still Question Snow Regulations

Candace Braun

Changes to an ordinance on snow removal in the Borough were debated, but once again not voted on at a Council meeting held last week at Borough Hall.

"The winter is going to be over before we adopt this ordinance," said Councilman David Goldfarb, after Council decided to amend the ordinance and scheduled another vote for its March 8 meeting.

The width of space that sidewalks should be shoveled was heavily debated for a second time by Council members. The original ordinance, which hasn't been updated since 1917, states that as "much of the snow and ice as possible" should be removed from the sidewalks within 12 hours of daylight following the storm. The amendment allows residents 24 hours following the storm to remove the snow, and requires them to remove a total of three feet in width on sidewalks wherever possible.

While Councilman Andrew Koontz was in full support of the three feet requirement and voiced concern that perhaps that is still not enough, Councilwoman Wendy Benchley voted firmly against the ordinance.

"Two feet is at least somewhat reasonable....and I think that's the most we can ask," said Ms. Benchley.

Hawthorne Avenue resident Phyllis Teitelbaum said she also supported revising the ordinance to two feet, adding that the ordinance should be geared toward snow removal, and not the amount of snow that is removed.

Some residents were troubled by the amount of time the Borough intends to give for snow removal before ticketing. Joshua Leinsdorf of Forester Drive said that everyone should have 24 hours after the snow plow comes by to clean sidewalks, as plows often push snow onto areas that have already been shoveled.

"It shouldn't matter if the snow comes from the sky or a snow plow," he said.

Bruce Lawton, who owns a corner property near Princeton High School with approximately 230 feet of sidewalk to shovel, mentioned receiving tickets over the years because of snow plows covering up areas he already took time to shovel, and complained of having to service his snow blower several times due to the amount of use it gets.

"This is a physical problem that a lot of people have," said Mayor Joe O'Neill, asserting that the ordinance's emphasis will still be primarily directed at residents who don't shovel at all. He added that those who receive a ticket unfairly can argue it in court. Snow removal fines can range from $100 to $1,500.

In addition to Ms. Benchley, the ordinance received negative votes from Councilman Roger Martindell, Mr. Goldfarb, and Mr. O'Neill, who was the tie-breaker. Council will now have the opportunity to vote on the revised ordinance, which will state residents must shovel sidewalks two feet in width, instead of three.