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Crossing guards tell council school crosswalks were impassable after storm; officials promise follow-up
Summary
Crossing guards described 3–4-foot snow mounds blocking school intersections after a January storm and said they had been told not to shovel while on duty because of liability concerns; township officials asked for locations and said public works and OEM will reassess.
At the public-comment portion of Tuesday’s Hamilton Township Council meeting, two crossing guards told elected officials that severe snow and ice left multiple school intersections blocked by 3– to 4–foot mounds of snow, forcing guards and parents to climb over piles to move students.
Carol Wilson, a crossing guard at McAllier Elementary, said the snowbanks were so large that “it was impossible for guards to cross the children if you did not literally crawl over the mounds of snow.” She added that guards have been told not to shovel while on duty because of liability concerns: “We are told not to shovel this no. If something happens and nothing is done, the township is liable. However, if I shovel, somebody falls down… I may be liable.”
Council members and staff acknowledged the severity of the storm and said they will investigate the call-routing and response. Township officials said crossing-guard reports were routed to traffic staff and that traffic contacted public works; public-works staff said they would reassess areas identified by guards and requested a list of specific problem corners to prioritize follow-up.
Officials clarified responsibility for clearing sidewalks: private property owners are generally responsible for adjacent sidewalks, while schools and municipal crews coordinate on access to handicap ramps and critical crossings. The council encouraged residents to report problem locations and indicated that OEM and public works would coordinate more closely with school officials for future storms.
The crossing guards asked whether salt or other supplies could be made available to help address immediate hazards; staff replied they would look into logistics and encouraged the guards to provide locations and any records of prior calls so public works could investigate further. The council did not take formal action during the meeting but asked staff to follow up with the traffic and public-works departments.
