Rules of etiquette apply to snow removal
City reminds residents to keep hydrants, address signs clear
Residents should do their best to keep any hydrant on their property, as well as their address signs, clear of snow to save time during emergencies. File photo by JAIME ANTON
NORTH ROYALTON – Though dormant much of the winter, the four letter s-word was back with a vengeance this week.
There are a few things homeowners should keep in mind when it comes to the dreaded white stuff.
Safety forces will agree, the most important thing to remember is to keep fire hydrants clear of any snow. Residents who notice a blocked hydrant should remove the snow if they are physically able.
A blocked hydrant can spell disaster, fire officials say, wasting valuable minutes finding and then freeing the water source in the event of an emergency. The rule of thumb is to clear 3 feet of snow from around the hydrant and shovel a path from the street to the hydrant.
Along these same lines, residents are also asked to keep their street address signs, mounted on roadside mailboxes, clear of snow and debris so they are visible to first responders. The fire department sells and will even install these reflective signs, which are easy to spot at night, year round for just $15 for those who don’t have one.
When it comes to shoveling driveways and sidewalks, residents are also encouraged to be good neighbors and respectful. In fact, there’s even a city ordinance on the books pertaining to proper snow removal and etiquette.
While shoveling or plowing, residents are not to deposit snow or ice in such a way that would obstruct or damage any public or private road, sidewalk, driveway, fire hydrant or landscaping.
Snow that falls on a property should stay somewhere on that property, per ordinance. Residents are prohibited from piling snow from their driveway or sidewalk onto their neighbor’s property or into the street. This rule applies to everyone, not just citizens but private snow removal companies and contractors.
Those who violate this ordinance are guilty of a minor misdemeanor. A separate offense is committed each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues. The penalty is punishable up to $150 plus court costs.
City and state snow plow operations, however, are exempt from this section of the law. The city is not responsible for any damage to garbage cans, landscaping or other objects located within the city right-of-way during the course of plowing, except for the replacement of a damaged mailbox with a standard model mailbox, to be determined by the service director.
Mayor Bob Stefanik reminds residents to be good neighbors and try to keep mail delivery and trash pick up in mind too while shoveling.
“Be a good neighbor. If there is a fire hydrant in your yard, try to make sure it stays visible. Keep your street address sign clear so safety forces can see them in the event of an emergency,” he said. “Also, try to be aware that mail delivery and rubbish pick up still takes place during inclement weather, so try to make it convenient for them.”
There are a few things homeowners should keep in mind when it comes to the dreaded white stuff.
Safety forces will agree, the most important thing to remember is to keep fire hydrants clear of any snow. Residents who notice a blocked hydrant should remove the snow if they are physically able.
A blocked hydrant can spell disaster, fire officials say, wasting valuable minutes finding and then freeing the water source in the event of an emergency. The rule of thumb is to clear 3 feet of snow from around the hydrant and shovel a path from the street to the hydrant.
Along these same lines, residents are also asked to keep their street address signs, mounted on roadside mailboxes, clear of snow and debris so they are visible to first responders. The fire department sells and will even install these reflective signs, which are easy to spot at night, year round for just $15 for those who don’t have one.
When it comes to shoveling driveways and sidewalks, residents are also encouraged to be good neighbors and respectful. In fact, there’s even a city ordinance on the books pertaining to proper snow removal and etiquette.
While shoveling or plowing, residents are not to deposit snow or ice in such a way that would obstruct or damage any public or private road, sidewalk, driveway, fire hydrant or landscaping.
Snow that falls on a property should stay somewhere on that property, per ordinance. Residents are prohibited from piling snow from their driveway or sidewalk onto their neighbor’s property or into the street. This rule applies to everyone, not just citizens but private snow removal companies and contractors.
Those who violate this ordinance are guilty of a minor misdemeanor. A separate offense is committed each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues. The penalty is punishable up to $150 plus court costs.
City and state snow plow operations, however, are exempt from this section of the law. The city is not responsible for any damage to garbage cans, landscaping or other objects located within the city right-of-way during the course of plowing, except for the replacement of a damaged mailbox with a standard model mailbox, to be determined by the service director.
Mayor Bob Stefanik reminds residents to be good neighbors and try to keep mail delivery and trash pick up in mind too while shoveling.
“Be a good neighbor. If there is a fire hydrant in your yard, try to make sure it stays visible. Keep your street address sign clear so safety forces can see them in the event of an emergency,” he said. “Also, try to be aware that mail delivery and rubbish pick up still takes place during inclement weather, so try to make it convenient for them.”