Chatham-Kent is considering a change when it comes to clearing snow off sidewalks.
The municipality currently plows all sidewalks but councillors will discuss a different path at their meeting at the Tilbury Arena Monday night. The idea is to continue the current sidewalk maintenance service this winter but change it for next winter. Property owners currently salt their sidewalks in front of their homes or businesses within 48 hours after a snowfall. The only change for this winter is the addition of by-law enforcement services at an estimated extra cost of $35,000 a year.
"Patrolling services will be required to inspect sidewalks and issue citations and fines where there is noncompliance," a municipal report states. "If this option is chosen by council, details of the compliance process and recommendations for fine amounts will be provided in a subsequent report."
The municipality will continue to salt the downtown core this winter.
Next winter, however, the municipality will require property owners to remove all sidewalk snow from their sidewalks.
"Property owners will be required to remove all snow to a depth less than or equal to eight centimetres within 48 hours after a snow event, and further, salt sidewalks fronting their home or business within 48 hours after the formation of ice," administration added.
The municipality said this option will save taxpayers about $300,000 a year depending on conditions and frequency of snowfalls. With this option, the municipality will only plow and de-ice municipal sidewalks fronting municipal property, and residents and business owners will plow and de-ice sidewalks that front their property.
If the changes are approved, local community organizations such as “Snow Angels” will be encouraged to help residents who are physically challenged to shovel snow.