Chicopee committee hears residents’ complaints about uncleared sidewalks, places item on file

Councilor Pena Castello brought a referral about snow-and-ice removal on sidewalks to a joint public-works discussion, saying the issue had forced some residents and students to walk in the street. “We voted as a board to refer this for a discussion in regards to sidewalks and the clearing of sidewalks,” she said.

The board heard that enforcement is largely complaint-driven and limited by staffing. Lisa Sanders, Health Director, said businesses who are reported usually receive a phone call and sometimes an inspector follow-up, while private residences get a mailed notice. "When the health department receives a phone call regarding unshoveled sidewalks, if it's a business, we will just call up the business," Sanders said. Building Department representative Frank Boron and DPW assistant John Boyer described similar practices: Boron said his department and the fire department will visit larger businesses and “we try our best,” while Boyer recounted a case in Ward 1 where a business cleaned its sidewalk after staff contacted it.

Several residents told the committee the problem has persisted over years. Abigail Arriaga of West Park Drive said constituents had repeatedly reported businesses on Memorial Drive that did not keep sidewalks clear, and urged proactive reminders ahead of winter. One councilor noted the mayor’s office had posted reminders on social media. Department heads described a heavy mid‑season ice storm that froze snow and blocked prompt clearing, and several officials emphasized staffing limits: "DBW is probably, what, 25, 30 people short, staffing wise," one councilor summarized from testimony.

Committee members and staff reviewed enforcement authority. The group noted the city ordinance requires sidewalks to be cleared within a stated period after a storm; officials said departments and their designees (police, fire, building, health, DPW) may issue citations but that in practice the city issues few tickets because of limited inspection capacity. Boron and other department heads said letters and direct contact usually result in compliance but that more aggressive enforcement would require additional staffing.

After public comment and discussion, the committee voted to place the referral on file; the motion was approved 5–0 and will go before the full City Council at its next meeting.