Hefty Snow-Clearing Fines Could Be Imposed In Bridgewater For Non-Compliance

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The Township Council is considering imposing hefty fines against owners of large multifamily residential developments who fail to clear snow and ice from private roadways and walkways.

The Township began updating its ordinance following residents' complaints in relation to a severe snowstorm earlier this year.

"Particularly, there were some multifamily residential developments that did not have the snow and ice adequately cleared from the private roadway and walkways within the complex," said Bucko at the March 19 Council meeting. "A review of our existing chapter 182 found that I would characterize it as an inadequacy of covering for that type of situation."

The existing township code requires property owners who have public sidewalks along public roads to clear snow and ice within 12 daylight hours after snowfall ceases.

"But there is not a similar requirement for owners of large multi-family residential developments, and that becomes both a safety concern for the residents there and also for the school district when the school buses can not enter the property safely to pick up or drop off school kids on a daily basis," said Bucko.

He said the proposed ordinance would change that by requiring owners of those complexes to clear private roadways and walkways under the same timeline used for public sidewalks. He also said the township would enforce the requirement if it is not followed.

Council members spent much of the discussion on how the ordinance would be enforced.

Councilman Timothy Ring said the Township can clear public sidewalks in the right-of-way and bill property owners, but it cannot do the same work in a private development.

Ring said the township can impose fines for noncompliance, but questioned whether the township should take on snow removal in a private complex and then wait years to recover the cost through liens.

While Councilman Michael Kirsh said that while he "wholly supports the increased fine structure," he still had a concern.

"My first concern with this is what prevents a property owner from just brushing off a fine as a cost of doing business. 'Hey, the town will clear it plus a couple of hundred bucks. It’s easier than me hiring a service to do it'," said Kirsh.

Council President Joan Geiger noted that, along with the fine component, property owners would also be required to come to court with an attorney.

"Even if the court waived the fine. They would still have to pay an attorney to come into municipal court and sit there for multiple hours. It could be very expensive for a property owner who did not comply," said Geiger. "I think there is a disincentive to not comply."

Ring pointed to the fee structure proposed, questioning if it was enough of a deterrent. The introduced ordinance proposes a fine between $500 to $2,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 90 days.

Instead, Ring proposed following a similar fee structure that the ambulance and first aid use, which has a minimum of $1,500 and a maximum of $5,000.

Ultimately, the Council agreed to table the introduced ordinance. The next Township Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 9, at 7 p.m.

See the proposed ordinance below:

11a by Alexis Tarrazi

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