Citizens are paying now for snow in February

Spring is here officially, but for some Cranston residents the storm of February 2017 is still an issue that will not melt.

Many citizens and businesses this year were notified of their noncompliance with snow removal ordinances about shoveling their walkways and sidewalks. With ordinances on the books since 2013 that require complete and swift snow removal (24 hours after the snow has stopped falling) or face a warning from police about noncompliance. Then a summons if not shoveled.

According to Cranston Police Major Todd Patalano, the city sent 59 letters and zero summonses on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Thursday, Feb. 16, it was 81 letters, and 25 summonses. On Friday, Feb. 17, four letters were sent along with 19 summonses.

For homeowners the fine starts at $20 a day and compounds until the snow is removed. For business owners the fine is $250 and goes up daily as well.

Of course, with any rule, there are exceptions.

Listed in the city ordinance is the explanation of a resident/homeowner who is not compelled to shovel.

If the owner or occupant is 62 years of age or older or is physically disabled or has a prior medical condition that would prevent him or her from shoveling snow and unable to shovel snow, no fine shall be imposed for failing to remove snow, if said owner or occupant provides the police officer with a letter from his or her doctor attesting to the fact that the person is physically unable to shovel snow.

“The officers hand notices out on a directed patrol assignment. Once the notice is handed out they are checked 24 hours later for compliance. Once a notice is left and then checked for compliance 24 hours later, they are given a summons only after being given the notice of non-compliance,” said Patalano.

“Once the snow melts to a point there is no obstruction, the location is no longer in violation of the ordinance. It does not negate the violation that was already issued, but will stop the escalation of the violation costs once the snow melts and the obstruction is no longer present,” said Patalano.

Throughout the city, residents called their Council representatives about the shoveling issue.

Steve Stycos, from Ward 1, said he received two calls about the sidewalks on the way to Park View. He also received about five complaints about the plowing job.

Paul McAuley of Ward 2 said he received a total of 10 complaints combining street and sidewalk removal.

Trent Colford from Ward 4 said he only received one call.

Chris Paplauskas, Ward 5, said after he contacted City Administration about the several emails he received about snow on sidewalks they were resolved quickly.

For the City-wide Councilmen, John Lanni reported no one contacted him; Ken Hopkins said there were only a few from Garden City area; and Council President Michael Farina said he received about a dozen calls.

Jeff Barone, Director of Constituent Affairs for Mayor Fung, said that beyond the complaints from the Facebook page of the Mayor, “We received approximately two dozen emails and calls from citizens throughout the city with concerns about snow plowing and removal. Most of the calls were from the areas within the walking radius of the schools,” he said.

Per Janeann Quaedvlieg, the Cranston Municipal Clerk, this is the status of the summonses.

Three were denied, three were disposed of or void, 11 were paid and 29 requested a court date.

“Deny means that the defendant is denying the violation and requesting a hearing in court. Disposed both residents were over 62 years of age so their tickets were dismissed outright.

Of the ones that were paid $780 was collected. For the ones that are court required before a trial they have an arraignment date which is not until April 25.”

The fines were issued to 19 businesses and 27 residents.

The revenues collected in municipal court are all part of the municipal court revenue line item, and do not go back into the snow budget said Mayor Fung in an e-mail.

As the chair of the ordinance committee Ward 5 representative Paplauskas wants to review the ordinances and see what changes might need to be made. 

“I will be speaking with my colleagues and am open to amending the ordinance. I think the time frame after a storm could be looked at in regards to sidewalks on school routes or within a set radius to our city schools. Making it a priority to get the sidewalks clear of snow near our schools should to be our focus,” he said.

Paplauskas is not a fan of penalizing the Cranston taxpayers.

“I personally don't like fining our citizens or issuing citations but I understand why it was included in the ordinance in the past. I think if we make it our priority to get the word out on what the ordinance is and what our expectations are for clear sidewalks especially near schools, people will make their best effort to comply. I would also like to see more data on what fines went out and if it was effective to determine if it’s a deterrent,” he said.

Paplauskas

thinks the city does a good job notifying the residents that are on social media and the ones that are signed up for the City email updates about parking bans, shoveling requirements and potential consequences.

“But, I am certainly open to looking for better ways. I like the suggestion of maybe sending out information with the taxes but that would ultimately be up to the administration,” he said.

For the complete City ordinance on snow and ice removal, go to www.municode.com/library/ri/cranston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CO_TIT12STSIPUPL_CH12.16SNICRE.