Bicycle Advisory Committee Backs Tougher Snow/Ice Removal Regulations Against Homeowners

NEWPORT, RI —The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission wants the City to toughen up enforcement against property owners who fail to remove ice and snow hazards from their sidewalks promptly, according to the meeting agenda.

The group meets tonight at 5 at Bike Newport, 62 Broadway, to discuss revisions it is proposing to the existing city ordinance. The meeting was pushed up from the original Dec. 1 date, to ensure "timely consideration" of the revised ordinance, and to accommodate members' schedules.

Under the proposal, in addition to the penalties already on the books, the City could charge homeowners for removing ice and snow, if they fail to act promptly.

Newport already has regulations about snow and ice removal, but police have used discretion in the case of elderly homeowners unable to shovel out themselves.