Glens Falls: Get your shovels.
The Glens Falls Common Council approved a new ordinance that both highlights the need to keep city sidewalks clear of snow and put some teeth behind the ordinance that can lead to court action.
As has been the case since the original law was enacted, land owners whose property is adjacent to city sidewalks are required to clear the sidewalk of snow, ice and other debris within a five-hour period after a snowstorm ends.
The amendments to the “Snow and Ice” section of the “Streets and Sidewalks” law add a method for the city to legally pressure landowners to clear the way.
The city may post a “Notice of Violation” after the five-hour time has elapsed and then clear the sidewalks and charge the landowner if it has not been cleared within 24-hours after the notice was posted.
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An invoice will be sent to the owner and then has 30 days to pay or the charges are added to the property as a tax lien and can be “collectible in the same manner as delinquent City taxes.”
The plan is to give people a chance to clear their sidewalks, but the scofflaws who persist will be brought into the judicial system, officials said.
“Any person, firm or corporation convicted of violating the provisions of this article shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $250 or imprisonment for a term not to exceed 15 days, or both,” the updated law says.
Ward 3 Councilor Diana Palmer suggested after the vote that the city spend some time explaining the new rules to the community before it goes into effect this fall.
G. Stephen Thurston is the managing editor of The Post-Star. He oversees the news room. Contact: 518-742-3225, sthurston@poststar.com.