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Post by LadyJane on Jan 4, 2006 11:30:11 GMT -5
Hi,
Under town code 139-4 it is not allowed to for people to :
Plow or deposit snow or ice on the side of embankments to public ways so as to narrow or decrease teh width of the traveled portion of the public way as it existed just previous to such persons clearance.
or:
plow or deposit snow or ice on that portion of the public right of way that adjoins another persons property without the consent of that person.
This occurs on my property. It is obvious to see the larger piles of snow directly across from the driveways of residences that are half on the street and half on their lawns.
Why can't the town notify these people not to do this? I am an older lady living alone and I don't feel it is my job to confront these people. I wish the town would do their job and take care of these problems. I pay taxes just as much as they do, why can't they push snow up on their own properties?
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Post by morganika on Jan 4, 2006 12:34:39 GMT -5
Dear Lady Jane:
Maybe you need to have an officer stop by your neighbors and just kindly remind them that it isn't the right thing to do with their snow.
A couple of years ago I had a situation with a neighbor and the police were involved. The two officers who came out were absolutely wonderful. Kind and polite, and even stopped by on another day to see how things were going. I really couldn't praise them enough.
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Post by LadyJane on Jan 11, 2006 10:53:52 GMT -5
Thank you Morganika for your reply.
I would notify an officer but I have a feeling it would foster resentment in these people and I don't want to get involved in a neighborly war.
I did send an email to the PZB but am sure they do not care nor will they respond.
You would think people would have more courtesy toward others. I spend money on lawncare to make my house look as nice as possible. The snow and salt mixture when pushed over and past the snow shelf/ public way causes the grass to die and involves more work for me in the spring. I guess people only think of themselves and not of others otherwise these problems would not exist. Plus it makes it more difficult for the already overworked guys that have to plow our streets.
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Post by morganika on Jan 12, 2006 15:07:38 GMT -5
Dear Lady Jane:
I would not be surprised to find you hear nothing from Planning and Zoning. My experience with officials in this town is they just don't care unless you're part of the "club".
You are correct, if people would just be neighborly there wouldn't be a problem. Last summer we spent $6,000 putting up a stockade fence because of neighbor problems. Too bad the fence doesn't keep out the 20 or so cats my other neighbor keeps in her yard!
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Post by oldetowne on Jan 13, 2006 7:11:59 GMT -5
No offense, but I also would not be surprised if you never heard back from P&Z because people plowing snow into the street is not within their jurisdiction and therefore not something they can do anything about. It is a police issue, not a zoning issue.
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Post by Dr.Ken Sokolowski on Jan 14, 2006 8:12:07 GMT -5
No offense, but I also would not be surprised if you never heard back from P&Z because people plowing snow into the street is not within their jurisdiction and therefore not something they can do anything about. It is a police issue, not a zoning issue. I agree with 'oldetowne' completely. I invite morganika and ladyjane to offer public comments during the 1/17/2006 Town Council meeting about the issues which concern them. Though I have reason to believe that at least some of the members of the Council and the Town administration monitor the posts here, the vast majority of Wethersfield does not (based on the number of views per thread which is tracked here). 'Public comments' is an opportunity to tell Wethersfielders (via CCC16, GATV-16 and secondarily via the press per chance), what you think and it puts the elected and hired leaders of our Town on record (on A/V tapes, minutes or 'working notes'  ) as having received your concerns and suggestions. |
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Post by LadyJane on Jan 15, 2006 9:48:59 GMT -5
I posted the excerpt from the town code in my first post. So, I would think it is a violation of town code set up by the planning and zoning commission and therefore wouldn't it be the responsibility of the code enforcement officer? If there are other violations of code I understand you are supposed to contact p+z. Morganika, I understand about the cats, there must be a good half dozen around here also. They are allowed to roam and they leave the bird carcasses under the bushes every now and then. Located here is the link to the town code on snow removal. I typed in snow in the search box and it came up: www.e-codes.generalcode.com/codebook_frameset.asp?ep=fs&t=ws&cb=0936_A |
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Post by Dr.Ken Sokolowski on Jan 15, 2006 12:56:15 GMT -5
PZC has no enforcement powers!
Call the Manager or the Police, period.
An option might be following the link here to the Town's website:
and print it out and mail it to your offending neighbors ASAP (hopefully ahead of the next significant snow fall).
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Post by oldetowne on Jan 16, 2006 7:33:17 GMT -5
The ordinance cited above is a general town ordinance - enforced by the police - not a zoning regulation enforced by the zoning enforcement officer. Please believe me on this.
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Post by Dr.Ken Sokolowski on Jan 16, 2006 12:20:05 GMT -5
LadyJane, You should have received in the mail a wonderful resource entitled: "[2006] Wethersfield - A Guide to Town Services and your Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory" AKA the "Wethersfield Annual Report and Calender". If not, you can pick up a copy at Town Hall.
If you turn to page 7, you will find three pages of "Town Departments" with a vignette for the major departments, including the director for each and contact telephone numbers. I call to your attention the following: the department of Building Inspection (Brian O'Connor, 721-2840); the Fire Marshal (Gary Santoro, 721-2806); the Police (James Cetran, Chief, 721-2900); and Central CT Health District (Paul Hutcheon, 721-2822). Please read the summary for each of these.
Then jump to pages 10 & 11 which list "Important Phone Numbers for Town Services". These services' catch phrases are listed alphabetically and lists the associated department and contact phone number. You should find this helpful too.
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Post by Dr.Ken Sokolowski on Jan 19, 2006 4:46:02 GMT -5
morganika,
 Sorry about that. I mistook your solace and succor for LadyJane as being sympathatic (i.e. been there felt that type of thing) if not reflecting a current problem. I will edit my post to reflect yours. I too can provide sympathy though I had have not had a recent problem with this type of snow-plow behavior. I am blessed with wonderful neighbors.[Key: solace [Latin solari: console]the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment; and, succor [Latin succurrere, to run to the aid of] aid, assistance, relief] |
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Post by morganika on Jan 19, 2006 14:01:04 GMT -5
The problem I had with my neighbors is that they were vandalizing my property while I was at work.
The fence has stopped that. I could see how you would have thought the problem was snow, and I wish that was all that it had been.
I was greatly impressed by the policemen who came out however. At first I think they were wondering why we called, but then we showed them the damage and after a discussion with my neighbors they could see why we needed intervention. They were so kind and tactful, I thought maybe they could help LadyJane.
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Post by LadyJane on Feb 27, 2007 10:54:31 GMT -5
Sidewalks:
It is the owners responsibility to clear the snow from the sidewalks within 24 hours after the snow or ice storm ends. Driveways:
Driveways:
When you or your landscaper clears your driveway they cannot push the snow across the street and deposit it in front of your neighbors house.
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I notice the police have selectivly taken an active role in warning and issuing fines for those residents who do not do their sidewalks, but continue to ignore the pushing of snow on neighbors lawns. I know you'll recommend calling the police but I feel that is not my responsibility, just as it's not my place to be report traffic violations, nor would it be wise for me to complain.
I have to vent because it aggravates me as I am considerate of others and I hate to be "dumped on"
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) as having received your concerns and suggestions.
Sorry about that. I mistook your solace and succor for LadyJane as being sympathatic (i.e. been there felt that type of thing) if not reflecting a current problem. I will edit my post to reflect yours. I too can provide sympathy though I had have not had a recent problem with this type of snow-plow behavior. I am blessed with wonderful neighbors.