Who Clears Marlborough's Snowy Sidewalks?

A reader recently asked us the following question: "What happens when homeowners don't clear their sidewalks, more than 24 hours after a snow storm, and their sidewalks happen to be a bus stop for elementary school students?"

The short answer: Sidewalks must be cleared by the property owner within 12 hours after the flakes stop flying.

The longer answer: According to Pamela Wilderman, the City's Code Enforcement Officer, it is the responsibility of the owner, tenant or caretaker of a property that abuts a sidewalk to clear that sidewalk. If it is not cleared in a timely fashion a $50 fine could be levied.

The sidewalk must be cleared within 12 hours of the snow stopping during the day time, or by noon the next day if the snow ends overnight, she said.

“Somebody has got to be responsible for keeping it clear," said Wilderman who explained it is extremely important to get this cleared after this storm before school starts on Monday. “It is really important that whenever possible you try to clear off the snow as quickly as you can.”

Additional problems come when snow plows clear driveways, leaving piles blocking the sidewalk. This is something that people can address with their snow plow driver, said Wilderman.