NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letter(s). Email editor@newcanaanite.com to publish your letter here.
***
As a New Canaan resident who takes my dog on multiple walks a day through neighborhoods between St. A’s and the high school, I have been shocked by the amount of sidewalks that have not been shoveled or salted after the most recent snowfalls. It shows an utter disregard for walkers, who include people (and dogs) of all ages.
As a gentle reminder, public sidewalks that abut the property of single or multi-family homes in a residential area are the responsibility of the property/homeowner. When it snows and/or sleets resulting in accumulation on the sidewalk, please go out and shovel a path. If not as a courtesy then as a way to protect yourself from a potential lawsuit due to a slip and fall.
If you are unable to shovel/salt, there are many young people who wouldn’t mind making quick money by shoveling the sidewalk for you. The other option is to ask the company/people who plow your driveway to take care of it – there might be an additional fee but I am sure your neighbors and walkers would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you,
Anne Beaurline
Thank you Anne for addressing this very important issue. Many residents know, that I’m also a walker. Even closer to town ex. on South Avenue is not properly cleared.
Anne, thank you for taking the time to write about this issue. I am a walker in the same area and feel like I’ve seen this happen frequently over the years. There are many sidewalks where only parts have been made clean and I’m always baffled by why whoever shoveled didn’t continue their shoveling over in order to make continuity. In many places, I feel forced to walk in the street because the sidewalks are so terrible but the danger potential of that is probably worse. And it’s not just homeowners; there are businesses that don’t seem to bother and I’m surprised that they are not directed to do so by our town.
As you said, let’s hope going forward people are more courteous to walkers.
Thank you, Madalene