Town Board to Consider New Sidewalk Snow Relief District
Sidewalk Snow Relief District #2
The Amherst Town Board is considering a proposal to create a new Sidewalk Snow Relief District in order to achieve equity among property owners for the provision of snow relief services.
The Town Board will conduct a Public Hearing at its meeting on May 7, 2012 to consider repeal of a current law exempting some property owners with special circumstances from winter sidewalk maintenance, and the formation of the new Sidewalk Snow Relief District. The Board meeting is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m., the Hearing will commence at a time thereafter. The Hearing will be held at the Amherst Municipal Building, 5583 Main Street, Williamsville, New York 14221.
The district will be comprised of 5 zones. Maps illustrating the locations of the proposed Sidewalk Snow Relief Zones can be viewed using the links below.
District Purpose
During winter months, sidewalks along the affected properties can be plagued with excessive amounts of snow and ice resulting from highway road plowing. These walks are also located along rear property lines that can be difficult for property owners to access and keep clear and safe for use by pedestrians in accordance with the Town Code. When sidewalks are not cleared, pedestrians often walk in the streets, creating a danger to themselves and motorists. In 2011 the Town established a Sidewalk Snow Relief district to provide snow clearing service on sidewalks fronting sections of Maple Road and Niagara Falls Boulevard. Formation of this new district will provide a means for the Town to recover some of the costs associated with sidewalk snow relief service and achieve equity with other areas in the Town where similar service is provided.
The proposed district includes properties that are currently exempt from the Town’s winter sidewalk maintenance requirements under §83-9-5-1.1 of the Amherst Town Code. The exemption transfers responsibility and liability associated with clearing snow and ice on sidewalks from the property owner to the Town. Under these exemptions the Town clears snow and ice from these sidewalks and there is no charge for this service. Currently most property owners in Amherst are responsible for maintenance and liability associated with sidewalks along their property. Repeal of the exemptions granted in §83-9-5-1.2, §83-9-5-1.3, §83-9-5-1.4, §83-9-5-1.5, and §83-9-5-1.6 of the Amherst Town Code would return responsibility and associated liability for keeping sidewalks free and clear of snow and ice to affected property owners.
Scope of Snow Relief Services
Upon creation of the Special District the Town will continue to provide snow and ice clearing on sidewalks along rear property lines of the affected properties. The Town Highway Department may place guide stakes in the public right-of-way along sidewalks to assist operator crews. Highway Department personnel will plow or snow blow sidewalks in the designated areas following a snowfall event. The Highway Department will determine when to deploy sidewalk crews after snowfall ends and street plowing along the corridor has been completed. Town sidewalk crews may be deployed to clear walks on any day during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Projected Special District Assessment
Properties located within Sidewalk Snow Relief District #2 could be charged a per annum fee for these services. The fee assessment will be based upon the linear feet of street frontage along the rear property line within the District. The fee is not expected to exceed $0.50 / linear foot of frontage.
Inquiries about the formation of the District may be made by email to: sidewalksnowrelief@amherst.ny.us.
Sidewalk Snow Relief District #1
Sidewalk snow relief service was provided during the 2011-2012 winter season for designated segments of Maple Road and Niagara Falls Boulevard that comprise Sidewalk Snow Relief District #1.
Maps illustrating the location of the District Sidewalk Snow Relief Zones can be viewed using the links below.
Properties located within the Sidewalk Snow Relief Special District #1 were not assessed any fee for this service in their 2012 Town tax bill. As part of the Pilot Study of the new district, property owners or occupants are encouraged to provide comments about service during this past winter season. Comments may be emailed to the following address: sidewalksnowrelief@amherst.ny.us. Comments may also be made by telephone to the Supervisor’s Office at 716.631.7032.
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