EAST LONGMEADOW REMINDS RESIDENTS OF IMPORTANCE OF SIDEWALK SHOVELING

(East Longmeadow, MA) In anticipation of the season’s first snowstorm, the East Longmeadow Board of Selectmen met last evening with the Police Chief to discuss the snow shoveling requirements in the Town.

According to the Town’s By-Laws, property owners are advised to remove snow from their sidewalks within 24 hours after the snow ceases to fall. This is to allow for safe passage for all pedestrians. In addition, the dumping or disposing of snow in East Longmeadow from outside of the Town is prohibited.

The Chief and Selectmen were in agreement that all complaints about unshoveled sidewalks should be reported to the Police department for investigation. All property owners with sidewalks are encouraged to keep the sidewalks free of snow and safe for passage.

“The Board of Selectmen has received numerous concerns from residents who cannot use the sidewalks safely,” said Kimberly Wiezbicki, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. “We felt a friendly reminder of the Town’s regulations was appropriate at this time.”

In consideration of the hardship that these regulations may have on disabled and senior citizens, the East Longmeadow Police Department, under the direction of Acting Chief Walter Niznik, is coordinating a public service utilizing town residents and students that will help these individuals remove snow during inclement weather. “We know how difficult it is for some people to remove snow from the Town’s sidewalks and the Town wants to help,” said Chief Niznik. “We have access to a small army of dedicated citizens who have stepped up to aide our needy residents by shoveling their sidewalks.”

Anyone wishing to take advantage of this public service should contact the Chief’s office at 525-5444.