Clear Your Sidewalks, It's The Law: County

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ROCKVILLE, MD — If you haven’t spent your snow days shoveling your sidewalk, it’s time to do it.

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett on Wednesday said residents must clear snow from sidewalks in front of their homes, as required by county law.

On Monday, after the massive snowstorm brought accumulations three feet to parts of the area, the county asked residents to clear snow from the sidewalks in front of their homes as possible. Under county law, residents are required to clear their sidewalks of snow and ice within 24 hours of the end of the storm.

“Now, four days after the storm, our streets are passable and being improved,” said Leggett. “Soon schoolchildren will be returning to school. For those who have already cleared their walks, I say ‘Thank you.’ For those who haven’t, now is the time – about 90 hours after the storm passed.”

“This is important so that schoolchildren are not walking in the street, so that seniors can get where they need to go, and so that all pedestrians and commuters using Ride On and Metro can get around safely.”

“I urge people to finish clearing their sidewalks now,” said Leggett. “The county will begin accepting complaints on Thursday at 10 a.m.; those complaints can be filed online at the mc311 website.”

Snow Removal Update

County road crews worked to make all neighborhood streets passable by 7 a.m. Wednesday. Crews were dispatched to streets that were reported missed and are back in neighborhoods to continue to improve road conditions and remove the snow.

The County will begin accepting unshoveled sidewalk complaints on Thursday at 10 am.; those complaints can be filedonline at the mc311 website.

• Montgomery County Government will be open on Thursday, Jan. 28, with normal operations. All employees are expected to report as scheduled.
• County-provided recycling and trash collection will resume on Thursday, on the regular day-of-the week schedule. Yard trim will not be collected this week. Material must be set out to the curb by 7 a.m., in a visible location. Recycling and trash containers must be free of snow and ice. Collection personnel will not dig out containers. Yard waste collection will be cancelled for the remainder of the week.
• The Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station will operate for normal operation on Thursday, closing at 5 p.m.
• The Ride On bus system will resume regular operations on Thursday.
• Montgomery County Department of Recreation aquatic centers and recreation centers will open on time for drop-in use. Administrative offices will open on time. All classes, programs and planned activities are canceled. Senior Centers will open at 10am for drop-in use, but there will be no senior transportation. Senior nutrition programs are cancelled.
• Montgomery County Recreation encourages those with cabin fever to take advantage of the drop in hours at community recreation centers and aquatic facilities while Montgomery County Schools are closed.
• Free parking in County garages and parking lots will end at 9 a.m. on Thursday.
• The County’s 311 Call Center remains open 24/7 but call volume remains high. Go online at www.mc311.com to send in service requests if possible.
• Intersections may have reduced sight lines due to snow piles. Drivers should proceed cautiously, particularly when turning.
• Pedestrians are urged to wear reflective items to stay visible when walking at night. Never assume drivers see you.
• A non-profit, Snowcrew.org, assists those who need help with snow shoveling or wish to volunteer to help others.

»Photo of snow-filled intersections that pose a risk to pedestrians, courtesy of Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services