After the City of Beacon robocalled residents to remind them to shovel their sidewalks, and shovel them better or face fines after 2.5 feet of snow fell, plus a few more inches a few days later, and more snow forecasted, A Little Beacon Blog followed up with Beacon’s City Administrator, Chris White, to find out what the fines were and what was required in snow removal from sidewalks.

ALBB: What is the fee for the City to remove snow from a sidewalk?

“The fee for the city to clear a sidewalk is a $125.00 administration fee plus $1.25 per lineal foot of sidewalk cleared.”

ALBB: When the City of Beacon Highway Department clears the sidewalk of a resident, and the resident pays the fee, are the employees of the Highway Department paid additional? Or is this part of their general work description?

“No. This is part of their general work.”

ALBB: Would shoveling of sidewalks fall into overtime for them?

“No. This is done during the normal work day on regular time.”

ALBB: Regarding width of shoveling: the robocall mentioned that baby strollers could not get through. If a resident has shoveled their sidewalk, but only so much for adults to walk through, and not a stroller, is that enough? Or is there a width requirement of snow removal on a sidewalk?

“The Beacon City Code requires the width of the sidewalk be cleared. That said, the City prioritizes clearing sidewalks that have not been cleared at all.”

ALBB: Regarding plowing done by the Highway Department: the trucks do mound snow back onto the sidewalks and driveways. According to some older residents of Beacon who have been here for 20+ years, the plowing did not seem to push back onto the sidewalks as much. Can you comment as to this snow clearing strategy?

“I can’t comment on what people say. I lived here in the 1990s and remember people complaining about that in the past as well. When you have heavy snowfalls, it is difficult to deal with the volume of snow.”

ALBB: Regarding snow removal into the street: There are at times nowhere else for the snow to go. If a yard is small, or has bushes or trees, there is literally nowhere to blow the snow if a snowblower is used, or a shovel. Can you advise?

Awaiting response. Will post when updated.

ALBB: A reader asked if there are zones of the City that have little foot traffic, like a side street, that are not subject to fine?

This was a new question in addition to the original list. Awaiting response. Will post when updated