Shovel sidewalks or face a fine

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Residents and business owners are being told from many cities and towns across the state to shovel their sidewalks or face a fine.

The battle of human versus snow continues and now that the roads are mostly clear, there is another task that must be performed if folks haven't already...clearing the sidewalks.

"This is pure ice," said Edward a contractor.

Funny thing is contractors are finding they have to do it more than once.

"Very difficult because they turn to ice and people trud on it, so you have to come with some muscle, make sure you have a good breakfast and come determined to move it," said Edward.

Many communities in our state are weary waiting for walkways to be cleared. In West Hartford, taxpayers are given 24 hours to clear the concrete but because of the intensity of this blizzard, the town allowed a bit of a reprieve.

"They are responsible for the liability. If someone falls on your sidewalk, the homeowner is responsible for that liability," said Ron Van Winkle a West Hartford Town Manager.

Basically the town's take on all this comes down to one thing,  you shouldn't have to snowshoe to take a casual walk around the neighborhood. The storm started Friday into Saturday, so folks have had Saturday afternoon, Saturday night, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and now Wednesday to get sidewalks cleared. It's a reason why, now, West Hartford is going to start enforcing getting these sidewalks cleared.

"A police officer will give you a warning to let you know to get your sidewalk cleaned, and then you'll have 24 hours and then we're gonna start writing tickets," said Winkle.

Some other towns, like hard-hit Hamden, are still allowing a grace period so the battle will continue. With warm temperatures and coffee-laced contractors chiseling away, eventually, victory will be in their grasp.

"I cleared this the other night, and the city plow it over, heavy, so they gotta take that into consideration before they start issuing tickets to homeowners, because they do plow in," said Edward. "It's all part of the season, you know, it's in New England. We've been getting away with Florida weather for a long time."