The Germantown Village Board voted down a proposed snow‑and‑ice removal map on Nov. 17 after extended debate among trustees, staff and residents about fairness and clarity.

Public Works Director Matt opened the discussion by describing why the village is updating an ordinance that previously made the municipality responsible for clearing all sidewalks. He said the existing code dates back several decades and would substantially increase maintenance if new subdivisions with sidewalks are added. The proposed map would preserve village removal within a prioritized "square mile" centered on the village core and transfer responsibility on many other sidewalks to adjacent property owners, HOAs or commercial property owners. Director Matt said the changes allowed the village to reduce planned capital purchases in the 2026 budget (notably high‑cost dual‑purpose equipment) and free staff for other winter operations.

Residents and trustees questioned the draft map’s boundaries and whether similar neighborhoods were treated consistently. Gary Conop, a resident of Blackstone Creek, told the board the map appeared to exempt nearby HOA neighborhoods while assigning his subdivision to resident responsibility and urged the board to send the proposal back to Public Works for a fairer map. John Yazzo, vice president of the Lake Park West association, said shifting responsibility could impose costs on residents who lack equipment and asked for a formal public hearing and direct notices to affected properties.

Trustees sought more precise, readable maps and examples of specific street segments to change. Several trustees supported trying a map for a trial year with the ability to modify it; others said the board should not overwrite public‑works committee work without specific alternatives. Administrator Preckwell (as identified in the meeting packet) urged the board to adopt a map soon so residents have time to prepare before winter, but also recommended returning unsettled items to the Public Works and Highway Committee for further review.

When the board took a roll‑call vote, the motion to adopt the proposed map failed. The Village President directed staff to re‑engage the Public Works committee, collect clearer examples of which segments to add or remove, and return with a revised map. Director Matt acknowledged some inconsistencies on the draft and encouraged trustees to provide concrete, street‑level suggestions so staff can make targeted adjustments.

Next steps: staff will refine the map with more legible exhibits and either propose specific edits to the current draft or return an updated plan through the Public Works and Highway Committee before the next winter season.