Fine for snow removal?

We have lived here for 20 years and in all that time we have NEVER heard of someone getting a fine for snow removal, though I have seen many people consistently leave packed snow on sidewalks for days at a time. We have been pretty darn good about removing snow, usually within a few hours of the end of snowfall. Not perfect, but as good or better than most neighbors, even going so far as to ensure we shovel a wide enough swath for two people walking abreast. So you can imagine my surprise to get home today, and see I got a fine for failure to shovel on 1/18. This was a weekday when it snowed in the morning though just flurries at the time I went to work. According to the weather almanac the total precipitation that day was .16 incheds and it lists the precipitation  as "rain or melted snow reported during the day. " I am looking at a $133 fine or a day in court. Apparently an enforcement guy happened by and felt that it was a dangerous situation. The high that day was 35, so whatever might have been on the sidewalk after I left for work was surely gone by the end if the workday. Has anyone else encountered this before? We are really dumbfounded...and pissed 

When was the ticket issued?

To my imperfect recollection, you have x hours after daylight, after the snowfall ends, to remove the accumulated snow.

Also, I seem to recall that the fine was $100.00, for first offense (fines accumulating daily).

Good luck, and let us know how it all turns out.

TomR

I got home at about 2 pm that day.  The snow I removed by 3 pm was easily cleared to the sidewalk.  Anything cleared after that (I have a lot of sidewalk/driveway to deal with) left a dangerously icy residue which was impossible to remove except through use of ice melt due to the sudden and dramatic drop in temperature.  Even though we got little more than a dusting, uncleared surfaces did not melt for several days due to cold temperatures.  Result was an icy, impassable mess.  As to the violation, it is more likely that a passerby filed a complaint rather than an inspector who just happened to be in the area.  

I walked home from the train at 6:00 p.m. that night and it was treacherous!  

i am also curious as to when the ticket was issued.

The summons would likely be dismissed. The problem is taking a day off from work to achieve this.... in fact, probably two days if the prosecutor wants to be a dick. One day for arraignment and one for the hearing.

Formerlyjerseyjack said:

The summons would likely be dismissed. The problem is taking a day off from work to achieve this.... in fact, probably two days if the prosecutor wants to be a dick. One for arraignment and one for the hearing.

That's not the way it works. There is no arraignment on a Municipal Ordinance. Secondly, in some Towns, not sure about SO, you can submit a defense by affidavit and mail it in and ask the Prosecutor to dismiss. Only if the Prosecutor declines to do so and you still wish to contest do you have to appear.

As to the frequency of such summonses if the OP actually goes to Court he may find himself among a dozen or more people there for the same reason.

If the summons was issued by a town employee, maybe it’s time for a supervisor to review the circumstances under which the summons was issued.

Possibly he should be required to get supervisory approval before issuance of future summonses. 

What do the elected officials have to offer.