Little Silver introduces new snow removal ordinance

Little Silver Mayor Suzanne Castleman and the borough council introduced a new ordinance regarding snow removal at Monday’s meeting that would require “the owner, tenant or occupant or any building or lands abutting upon any street within the Borough of Little Silver” to clear the sidewalk in front of their property of snow and ice “to a width of at least two feet within 24 hours after the cessation of the snowfall or formation of ice.”

Failure to do so would result in a $50 fine for the first offense, and a $200 fine for every subsequent offense. If the ice is “impractical to remove” then the sidewalk should be covered with sand “or some other suitable substance” to make it “safe and convenient for persons traveling thereon.”

When the ordinance was introduced as “new business” during the meeting on Mar. 7, councilman Jonathan Bitman commended Little Silver residents Mr. and Mrs. McGann, “two people that have been pushing this for a long time, that have brought in very good evidence of proof, and reasoning for it.”

“I think they should be noticed, or at least recognized, as this is passed that hard work, being vocal and making proper professional presentations works and it’s a good part of government.”

A public hearing on the new ordinance will be held on Apr. 4.

Also at last night’s meeting:

• Mayor Castleman and the borough council approved an amendment to the municipal “Land Use and Development Ordinance” .
• Acting Administrator/Deputy Clerk Helen Gormley announced that the new budget will be introduced during the meeting on Mar. 21.
• Bob Tetley, foreman of the Public Works Department, has given notice that he’s retiring after roughly 35 years of service.
• The Mayor and council approved a resolution designating 2010 salaries for employees of the Borough of Little Silver be amended to include $17.30 hourly pay for a General Clerical Assistant.