Mayor Coles: Please shovel your sidewalks

Mayor Ray Coles tells TLS today he’s been receiving complaints about children walking in the roadway because people aren’t shoveling their sidewalks.

“It’s the homeowner’s responsibility,” says Coles.

The Mayor adds that those with bus stops at the corner should shovel a path out to the roadway as well.

TLS has also received complains from residents regarding ice storefronts and walkways to commercial buildings and offices.

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21 COMMENTS

21 Comments
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frumyid from Lakewood
8 years ago

Note, you can be held legally liable under NJ law if you don’t shovel and someone slips and hurts themselves.

I never understand why a town of chesed is for the most part totally oblivious to the point that everywhere else, people shovel their walks!

Chacham
Reply to  frumyid from Lakewood
8 years ago

@frumyid You are SO wrong! In NJ there is almost NO liability for residential property owners who do NOT shovel, as it was an act of G-d. If you DO shovel, then YOU ARE liable if you did a lousy job. Therefore from a liability standpoint, you are much better off not shoveling.
You can do a quick Google check to confirm the details. Here is one link: https://www.lependorf.com/blog/slip-and-fall-accident/careful-shoveling-new-jersey-winter/
Having said that, it is the right thing to shovel, and there may be municipality requirements, but make sure to do a perfect job, and to saltwell, otherwise you will become liable.

Neighbor
8 years ago

Attention Yeshivos:

Please shovel your sidewalks.

You can give some bachurim exercise during bein hasedorim which they won’t mind.

All you need to do is buy some shovels and care about the pedestrians so they shouldn’t be forced to walk in the dangerous streets.

Anonymrs
8 years ago

I am just wondering what the law is about construction properties….on my block that are MANY MANY houses under construction and the are not shoveled. Whose responsibility is it? The builder? The owner? Just want to know who to ask nicely to take care of it.

Harry
8 years ago

Should homeowners be held at a higher standard that the township?

Yaakov
8 years ago

If its beyond your ability or kovod to shovel, please hire someone, or pay a kid on the block.

goldie
8 years ago

What I don’t understand is the homeowners that don’t shovel their sidewalks,driveways,steps do they not care about there own safety?

S
8 years ago

My street Bridgewood Avenue has notyet been properly plowed. Yesterday there was an emergancy on my block and hatzolah had to block in some driveways so that my husband had to daven byechidus. Also I had to drive my children to school as there was no path shoveled on the block and the bus stop was a massive snow pile.

hi
8 years ago

what about blocks without sidewalks?! My kids always have to walk in the street! now the bus stop, they practically have to wait in middle of the intersection!

GBerg
Reply to  hi
8 years ago

Welcome to NJ in the winter. It is what it is.

wiseguy
8 years ago

Ciftion ave sidewalks by all the stores are terrible! Who’s responsible for that??

Walker
8 years ago

The owner and residents are both responsible, if it is vacant and under construction the owners are responsible.
I would bet that the people complain the most about the township snow plowing, are he same ones that aren’t shoveling the front of their own properties.

Rose Shapiro
8 years ago

I think it would be a good idea if neighbors would chip in together to share a snow blower. Long blocks, I would imagine, long blocks would need to be divided into smaller groups. Not a difficult plan to work out. Think about it and act to get the sidewalks and corners cleaned properly.

mayo
Reply to  Rose Shapiro
8 years ago

chip in for shaloch manos, snow blowers, tiping teachers, the rav, membership, doesn’t end

Driver
8 years ago

What about consideration to the garbage and the recycle pick up person

Frustrated
8 years ago

I agree it is the homeowners responsibility to shovel the sidewalks in frontier of your house.what happens when you do that and clear the entire sidewalk and then the Lakewood township cones and takes all the snow from the street and dumps it on your sidewalk.dont they think of the safety if children who now have to walk in the street.

My personal study
8 years ago

I agree with chacham although menchtlach to shovel I can’t shovel it all perfectly and it’s a bigger liability it it’s shoveled

Weatherman
8 years ago

I suggest the township buy sidewalk plows as they have in Montreal. Now that would be something!

Sha already!
8 years ago

Can everyone stop finding things to complain about ??
It’s winter… deal with it.

ANON21
8 years ago

Question here. Who owns the sidewalk? If the homeowner owns government shouldn’t be telling him what to do with his own property. If the township owns it then the township should shovel it. That may be why no one shovels. The law makes no sense

hf
8 years ago

can relate. WE ARE REALLY SUFFERING LIVING WITHOUT A SIDEWALK.I still dont get how its legal to build a house without sidewalk~a real danger for kids.