Helmetta council introduces ordinance tightening snow, mailbox and street clearance rules

The Helmetta Borough Council voted 4–0 on March 18 to introduce Ordinance 2026-03, which would amend Chapter 50 ("Streets and Sidewalks") to clarify property-owner responsibilities for snow and ice removal and establish standards for mailbox placement, fire hydrant clearance, recreational equipment near the curbline and tree trimming over streets and sidewalks.

Under the proposed ordinance, property owners or occupants would be required to remove snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their property within 24 hours of accumulation; the borough would retain responsibility for sidewalks on borough-owned property. The ordinance would prohibit depositing snow onto public streets in ways that interfere with municipal snow removal. It would also require mailboxes to be installed behind the curbline, keep fire hydrants clear and accessible after snow events, prohibit basketball hoops in the curb/gutter/traveled portion of streets, and require private trees overhanging the street be trimmed to a minimum vertical clearance of 14 feet over the roadway (8 feet over sidewalks).

Councilman Dzingleski moved for introduction and Councilwoman Bohinski seconded; the motion carried on roll call 4–0. The ordinance text in the minutes sets a severability clause, repealer clause and an immediate effective date upon final passage and publication. The council did not take final action on the ordinance at this meeting; it will return for second reading and adoption at a later date.

If adopted, the ordinance authorizes the borough to cause removal or trimming when property owners fail to comply and to recover associated costs as permitted by law. The minutes include ordinance sections spelling out enforcement options and the borough's nonliability for mailboxes installed in violation of the rules.