RUMFORD — With so much snow this month, there have been a lot of complaints regarding snow removal, according to Town Manager Linda-Jean “LJ” Briggs.
She told selectmen Thursday that she has instructed town employees to be on the lookout for violators of the town’s snow removal ordinance.
“We hope to combat some of the anxiety that’s created when the snow builds up,” she said.
The town’s snow removal ordinance says it’s “unlawful for any person, firm or those in plowing for hire or their agents to deposit snow and ice upon any public way or rights of way which obstructs or interferes with the free passage of foot or vehicular traffic. It shall be unlawful to deposit snow and ice so as to obstruct any fire hydrant.”
Briggs said the board is recommending changes to the ordinance, but in the meantime she will send a letter to employees to watch for properties which are in violation of the snow removal ordinance.
“I will send a letter to each of those properties, if they appear to be in violation of the ordinance, requesting voluntary compliance,” she said.
“So I’m going to give them one opportunity following that request for voluntary compliance. If they don’t care for the snow and it does impede on a public way, then we will provide them with a written warning,” she said.
Briggs said the ordinance authorized the Police Department to issue the warning.
If the snow still isn’t cared for, “then we will begin legal procedures in District Court,” she said.
Briggs said she wants people to know that she’s aware of the problem and she wants to try to address it.
“Given that it’s been a long-term policy, or a long-term activity, I want to give people one last shot before we begin enforcement procedure.”