Tricky path to learning
Washington School Board wants to know when sidewalks in the city are going to be cleared of snow.
Classes are back in session after about 2 feet of snow blanketed Southwestern Pennsylvania earlier this month, but students can’t use most of Washington’s sidewalks to get to school, board members say.
“Most of our kids are walking in the street,” school board member John Campbell Sr. complained at Monday’s meeting.
A city ordinance requires homeowners to clear the sidewalks in front of their residences after a snowstorm within 10 to 12 hours, said Mayor Sonny Spossey. For a while, the snow didn’t stop so it was understandable that it wasn’t cleared as soon as it fell, he said. But that hasn’t been a problem recently.
“People need to be more diligent,” he said Tuesday, adding that they need to clear their sidewalks now.
School director William Braun suggested sending a letter to the city, asking that the ordinance be enforced. However, several board members said they already talked to city officials about the issue.
Business manager Rick Mancini said he sent the city street department a list of district bus stops, asking that they be cleared as soon as all of the streets are cleaned.
“The bigger problem is that individuals who own homes aren’t clearing sidewalks,” he said.
Washington Director of Code Enforcement Michael Behrens is away for training, but when he returns, he will take action against those who haven’t removed snow from their sidewalks, Spossey said.
Behrens will send them a letter giving them a number of hours to rectify the problem. If the walk isn’t cleared, Behrens will issue a citation, which includes a fine up to $300, Spossey said.
Once the sidewalk is cleared, the magistrate will suspend the fine, he said.
“All we’re after is compliance,” Spossey said.
At the meeting, board members also questioned who would be legally responsible if a child was injured while walking in the street because the sidewalks were snow-covered.
Solicitor Ken Baker said the district has no liability for students walking in the street.
“The primary responsibility is on the homeowner,” he said.
Classes are back in session after about 2 feet of snow blanketed Southwestern Pennsylvania earlier this month, but students can’t use most of Washington’s sidewalks to get to school, board members say.
“Most of our kids are walking in the street,” school board member John Campbell Sr. complained at Monday’s meeting.
A city ordinance requires homeowners to clear the sidewalks in front of their residences after a snowstorm within 10 to 12 hours, said Mayor Sonny Spossey. For a while, the snow didn’t stop so it was understandable that it wasn’t cleared as soon as it fell, he said. But that hasn’t been a problem recently.
“People need to be more diligent,” he said Tuesday, adding that they need to clear their sidewalks now.
School director William Braun suggested sending a letter to the city, asking that the ordinance be enforced. However, several board members said they already talked to city officials about the issue.
Business manager Rick Mancini said he sent the city street department a list of district bus stops, asking that they be cleared as soon as all of the streets are cleaned.
“The bigger problem is that individuals who own homes aren’t clearing sidewalks,” he said.
Washington Director of Code Enforcement Michael Behrens is away for training, but when he returns, he will take action against those who haven’t removed snow from their sidewalks, Spossey said.
Behrens will send them a letter giving them a number of hours to rectify the problem. If the walk isn’t cleared, Behrens will issue a citation, which includes a fine up to $300, Spossey said.
Once the sidewalk is cleared, the magistrate will suspend the fine, he said.
“All we’re after is compliance,” Spossey said.
At the meeting, board members also questioned who would be legally responsible if a child was injured while walking in the street because the sidewalks were snow-covered.
Solicitor Ken Baker said the district has no liability for students walking in the street.
“The primary responsibility is on the homeowner,” he said.
Labels: Sidewalks
posted by Dawn Keller at
10:48 AM
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