Mills aims to recruit volunteers to help elderly, infirm shovel snow

The mandate that property owners clear sidewalks after a snowstorm has always been a problem for elderly and infirm residents who don’t have deep pockets to pay for help.

Now one city councilor, newcomer David Mills, is hoping to come to their aid.

Mills said that after from residents who have a hardship complying with the law, he contacted with Boy Scouts and both city high schools to find out if they’d be interested in helping provide volunteers to shovel snow for those who can’t do it themselves.

Mills said the youngsters are willing to try.

High school students have community service hours to rack up anyway, officials said, and the Boy Scouts are often ready to chip in for public service.

Mayor Art Ward hailed the effort.

“It’s innovative. He’s taken the initiative,” Ward said.

Ward, a second-term Democrat, said he’ll do what he can to help implement the freshman Republican’s plan.

He said that making it work is going to be trick.

But, Ward said, there is no doubt that volunteers “could address some of the needs” among seniors and others who have long complained about the hardship of making sure their sidewalks are clear.

Mill said that any seniors or homebound residents who cannot do their sidewalks should contact Darlene Coffey at the Beals Senior-Community Center, who is compiling a list of those interested in getting help.

“I thought it was a fantastic idea,” said Coffey, who already has a list started.

She said she’s worried she may wind up with more people seeking help than Mills can find volunteers for.

Anyone interested in receiving assistance with shoveling should call Coffey at (860) 584-7895.

Mills took office this week after winning one of the two 3^rd District council seats on Election Day.

Shoveling rules

If a storm ends between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m., property owners have nine hours to clear sidewalks. They have 12 hours from the end of other storms.

Failure to comply can lead to a $75 fine.

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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

City cracking down on sidewalk scofflaws

Four years after the demolition of the historic Mamatseos building on North Main Street, the city can’t even get its owner to clear the sidewalks there.
After trying unsuccessfully to get the Fairfield-based AGL, LLC to remove snow and ice from the heavily traveled walkways at the corner of North Main and North streets, the city finally hired a local contractor to do the work.
It’s not that unusual.
Police Officer Tom Lavigne, who handles many code enforcement issues, said Tuesday that when the police get calls about sidewalks that aren’t shoveled, an officer goes out to check on the complaint.
If it’s valid, he said, the officer leaves a warning notice so the owner will know he faces an infraction if it’s not cleared quickly.
Lavigne said that if the work isn’t done, pictures are taken and paperwork written up so that the city could prevail if someone opts to challenge the ticket in court.
“There’s a lot involved,” Lavigne said.
Usually, of course, that doesn’t happen.
Lavigne said that failing to clear sidewalks is a hazard for pedestrians and a threat to public safety.
City Councilor Kevin McCauley, who heads the Code Enforcement Committee, said residents who see sidewalks that are covered with snow and ice should call dispatchers at the police station to let them know about the problem.
Lavigne said property owners have between 9 and 12 hours after a snowstorm to get their walkways clear, depending on the time when the storm stops.
But, he said, nobody’s going to crack the whip if it takes a little longer.
However, as dozens of property owners find out every winter, there is a limit.
Lavigne said cases typically land on his desk 24 to 48 hours after a storm is over.
McCauley said the hope is that most owners will act to clear the snow when an officer warns them. But some don’t, he said, and that’s a concern.
Lavigne said the Mamatseos property owner promised to get the sidewalks clear right away when he called. But when it wasn’t done the next day, he turned to D’Amato Construction to shovel it out, a bill that AGL will ultimately have to pay along with its $75 fine.
For now, the city is calling two local contractors to clear snow, D’Amato and Laviero Construction, but the purchasing office is preparing a new list that may open the door to other firms.
George Wallace, the second-in-command at the public works department, said the city used to have a regular list of people to call, but stopped about five years ago when public works started doing the clearing instead.That’s no longer possible so the city again needs to turn to contractors willing to do the job, officials said.

Shoveling rules
If a storm ends between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m., property owners have nine hours to clear sidewalks. They have 12 hours from the end of other storms.

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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com