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Residents urge Runnemede council to prioritize sidewalk clearing and senior outreach after major storm
Summary
During public comment residents described icy sidewalks near schools and urged targeted intersection cleanup, volunteer coordination and phone-mail outreach to seniors; council directed public works to revisit priority intersections and discussed a volunteer/phone outreach plan.
Residents at the Jan. 8 Runnemede Borough Council meeting urged the borough to step up sidewalk and intersection clearing after a heavy storm left ice and large snow piles, making routes to Triton High School and other locations hazardous.
One resident described watching students "fall every day at the corner across from Triton" and pressed council to prioritize problem intersections and consider more aggressive removal of snow piles placed on sidewalks by plows. The speaker said many older residents are not on social media and suggested a physical mailing or phone chain to inform seniors about available assistance.
Barb, a resident who spoke during the public comment period, said volunteers had helped neighbors but that many sidewalks remain uncleared more than a week after the storm. Councillors and staff discussed the borough’s 24-hour clearing ordinance for property owners, the practical limits of enforcement after an exceptional storm, and options to identify and assist older residents who lack digital access.
Council members said public works crews were still removing snow and that staff (police, public works, zoning and the fire department) had been checking problem locations. The council asked public works to review specific intersections again and discussed coordinating volunteers and community groups, including the senior club, to reach shut-ins by phone or physical mail.
What residents asked for: targeted intersection clearing in front of schools, volunteer coordination to assist seniors who cannot shovel, and a communication plan (mailings or phone chains) to reach older residents who do not use social media.
Council response and next steps: staff said they can recheck intersections and do limited scooping to remove persistent ice piles; the borough will explore a digital and printed newsletter to reach seniors and will ask the senior club to use its phone chain for welfare checks. The council also said it will identify priority locations for public works to address and reminded property owners of the 24-hour clearing requirement while acknowledging enforcement challenges after the storm.
The public portion closed after the exchange; council later adjourned the meeting.
