To the Editor:
This year, as we experienced an unusual, and for us heavy, snowfall over the holidays, I noticed that many sidewalks were snow-covered, icy, and treacherous and remained so, despite specific ordinances that mandate snow removal by property owners within 24 hours of the last snowfall.
As 52-year residents in the same house that has sidewalks on Hawthorne Avenue, Harrison Street, and Hamilton Avenue, thus making us responsible for snow removal on three sides of our property, I can attest to the fact that were we derelict in our civic duty to remove snow from our sidewalks, we would often (and immediately) receive notices from the town, sometimes following complaints posted on a Princeton neighbors’ website established for the purpose of making such complaints. I note that per the ordinance, the police are charged with enforcement. In recent years, we have not received such complaints, but we are very cognizant of our legal obligation to remove snow, and are careful to do so, within the time frame required by the ordinance.
This is a friendly reminder to all Princeton property owners.
It is the law in Princeton that property owners (and occupants) are legally obligated to remove snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their property within 24 hours of the last snowfall. As a daily walker in town, I have noticed that in many cases, snow is not being removed in a timely fashion, if at all. However, I remind you that not only is it the law, it is also the simple, neighborly thing to do to protect the health and safety of our neighbors and visitors from injuries from unnecessary falls.