PEPPERELL — The Highway Department has reminded residents it is illegal for anyone other than a town employee acting in an official capacity to discharge, dump, plow or shovel snow, ice or water subject to freezing onto, into or across any public road or sidewalk.
“It’s potentially dangerous, say, when a resident who owns a long driveway starts from their home and plows snow out of the driveway and leaves it against the bank across the street,” said Highway Superintendent Peter Shattuck.
“The (bump) of snow sticks out onto the road, representing a safety hazard for anyone who doesn’t see it or doesn’t know the road,” he said.
Fire Chief Toby Tyler said the department appreciates residents who shovel out access to fire hydrants.
“Don’t forget catch basins either, in order to avoid flooding and/or icy ponding when a melt occurs,” Shattuck added.
He said he has a few streets in town where private driveway plow drivers don’t always heed the bylaw but, thus far, they have followed his directions after he talks with drivers.
Violation of the snow removal bylaw is punishable by a fine of $25 for the first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense. Both the Highway Superintendent and police are enforcement authorities. — Don Eriksson
