File photo by Ron Bailey of sidewalk snow removal from one of last year’s storms.
Leonardtown, MD — The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County are not happy with the response of many landowners to the shoveling of the sidewalks in front of their properties. Last year the commissioners passed an ordinance requiring sidewalk snow removal within 72 hours after the end of precipitation. The recent heavy snow showed that many hadn’t gotten the word.
“Maybe we were a little light in our enforcement and will have to treat it differently the next time.” was the way Commissioner President Randy Guy [R] summed up the situation at the end of a discussion at the commissioners’ Feb. 2 meeting.
Not only did the heavy accumulation contribute to the snow buildup on sidewalks, but also depositing snow from the roads by State Highway Administration crews along the state roads.
Commissioner Todd Morgan [R – 4th District] introduced the subject. He said the problem was particularly serious on Great Mills and Chancellors Run roads. Morgan said he had seen people walking in the road in the dark while wearing dark clothing. “Someone is going to get hit sooner or later,” he said.
Commissioner John O’Connor [R – 3rd District] said at last week’s commissioner meeting that he had personally gotten a new snow blower and offered to help. He said at the Feb. 2 meeting that he was dressed casually because he had just come from blowing snow off a quarter-mile stretch of sidewalk on Great Mills Road near Fairlead Academy.
O’Connor complained that he had seen car dealerships with their parking lots plowed and the cars on the lot cleaned but the sidewalks in front hadn’t been touched.
O’Connor said the process was complaint driven. “We need to get complaints, look at the locations, and talk to the business owner,” he said. After that, he said, a plan of action could be received and if not followed then the county could do the work and submit a bill or impose a fine as called for in the ordinance.
Commissioner Tom Jarboe [R- 1st District] did note that at least one car dealership, the Fitzgerald Auto Group, was diligent in shoveling their sidewalk. “The young man was working hard,” Jarboe said of the snow shoveler.
Commissioner Mike Hewitt [R – 2nd District] said the sidewalk in front of his business on Three Notch Road was shoveled within the 72-hour window. He said it was important for the commissioners to follow their own regulations.
Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thebaynet.com