News - Гедлі припиняє виконання закону про розчищення тротуарів від снігу

In Hadley, the Select Board has temporarily paused enforcing a controversial bylaw mandating property owners to clear snow and ice from adjacent sidewalks within 12 hours after a storm. This decision, initially approved to offset municipal costs, faced resistance from both residents and business owners, who raised legal and logistical concerns. Scheduled for enforcement beginning February 1, the directive included potential fines ranging from $100 to $300. Chairman Randy Izer stated the need for legal clarity before proceeding, highlighting the risks of implementation under the current guidelines. Confusion arises mainly from the bylaw's outdated specifications on sidewalk materials, including stone, brick, concrete, or plank, a clause that complicates enforcement in modern contexts. This pause comes amid taxpayer worries that essential services might be stripped away, yet town officials are pressured to review this bylaw against financial burdens. The Department of Public Works (DPW), led by Director Scott McCarthy, continues to plow sidewalks for safety, especially routes used by schoolchildren, while noting that delaying removal isn't feasible. Despite continued service, officials aim to identify cost-efficient strategies to maintain sidewalks. The town's Bylaw Committee is charged with revisiting the provision and preparing amendments for the annual Town Meeting. Finance Committee Chair Amy Fyden recognized the community's distress over inadequate communication from Town Hall on this issue. DPW Director McCarthy stressed the need for sustainable funding to plow all Hadley sidewalks, as future obligations remain uncertain—particularly with upcoming Route 9 reconstruction changes and potential loss of external plowing services. He cited challenges like increased snow loads on pathways that industry-standard machinery may not handle easily. With concerns of an unfunded mandate rising, officials debate the practicality and equity of shifting municipal responsibilities to residents without comprehensive state support or funding. Adapting to this ongoing challenge involves balancing community expectations and fiscal constraints while preserving public safety.