Snowy Hamilton sidewalks draw nearly 2,000 complaints

The city has fielded nearly 2,000 complaints about snowy sidewalks amid heavy dumps in the past two months.

The calls come ahead of a public works discussion about whether the city should plow sidewalks across Hamilton.

Between Jan. 1 and Feb. 25, the city received 1,965 calls about snow-covered sidewalks. Bylaw officers issued 817 orders and laid 106 charges.

There have been pockets throughout the city that have required increased enforcement" during recent snowstorms, Kelly Beaton, acting manager of service delivery, said in an email.

In December, the city conducted a mass education" effort in the areas around McMaster University and Mohawk College about residents' snow-clearing duties.

People must clear sections of sidewalk in front of their properties within 24 hours after it stops snowing. A policy of amalgamation in 2001 sees some Ancaster residents pay a fee to have the city clear sidewalks.

But a Hamilton-wide program has been debated for years.

Sidewalks left snowy despite the bylaw is a concern for those who advocate for older adults, people with mobility devices and pedestrian safety overall.

During February budget talks, councillors opted to discuss the possibilities further at a future public works meeting.

Staff have estimated an option to clear sidewalks along transit routes would cost $1.48 million to $1.78 million more than the status quo for a total price tag of roughly $3 million to $3.4 million. That would add $8 to the average household tax bill.

Clearing all sidewalks would cost $3.53 million to $3.78 million more, resulting in a total cost of $5.11 million to $5.36 million, and $16 more in taxes.

During the recent snowstorms, residents also complained about piles of snow on sidewalks that fall under the city's responsibility.

Last weekend, Coun. Maureen Wilson shovelled snow off the sidewalk by the Hamilton Amateur Athletic Association (HAAA) grounds in Strathcona.

I went out and it was really quite bad," Wilson said Friday.

The Ward 1 councillor said she has fielded a number of complaints about uncleared sidewalks, including those that frame public spaces.

Of course, the argument being, How could I possibly be charged if the city is not leading by example and clearing their own walkway,' which is very fair comment."

Wilson doesn't blame staff, but rather political priorities" that place higher value on roads than sidewalks.

Bob Paul, manager of roadway maintenance, said he couldn't comment on what might have happened in specific cases.

But he said heavy successive storms were challenging for crews, noting there's only so much space to put snow.

What we try to do is open up the roads as much as we can without dumping onto the sidewalks."

But operators aren't perfect, Paul added.

They do make errors and sometimes snow will end up on the sidewalk."

Coun. Jason Farr called the recent snowfalls a perfect storm" that included the loss of a key roads manager to retirement whom lower-city elected officials could contact quickly about trouble spots.

The downtown councillor agreed to refer the sidewalk-plowing debate to public works but wants a decision soon. I think council's got to deal with this."

Some councillors have signalled a preference for the status quo, citing concerns about cost and the potential for property damage caused by plows.

Farr says the transit route option would make a big difference." Wilson, meanwhile, says she wants all sidewalks plowed.

Teviah Moro is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach him via email: tmoro@thespec.com