Clifton council authorizes emergency snow clearing, approves up to $6,000 for pedestrian walkways

Following an urgent winter storm, the Clifton Town Council approved emergency snow-removal payments and directed steps to improve future emergency procurement.

Town Treasurer Suzy Murphy and council members said VM Jay Davis and Mayor Lynn Screen engaged LCS to clear Main Street between Ayre Square and Dell Avenue immediately; that work was capped at $2,000 and completed before the meeting. Council discussed whether roadway clearing is the responsibility of VDOT and agreed the town should focus on walkways and pedestrian access while VDOT handles roads. The Clerk recommended pre-bidding arrangements with potential contractors to allow faster emergency responses.

Councilmember Steve Effros moved to approve $2,000 to LCS for the initial snow clearing; CM Poe seconded and the motion was approved by roll call. In a later item, the Maintenance Committee returned to snow removal priorities (Chapel Road walkways, railroad crossing, and bridge-to-town routes). VM Davis moved to approve up to $6,000 in additional LCS services to clear pedestrian walkways and the railroad crossing; CM Poe seconded and the motion passed by roll call with all votes recorded as aye.

Councilmembers noted the town used a miscellaneous emergency repairs bucket ($7,500) last year for tree remediation and discussed whether such items should be budgeted separately or drawn from the Parking and Traffic budget. The council also proposed holding an emergency management meeting (including the Clerk and CMs Poe and Hencken) to plan future responses and identify priorities for clearing walkways and access points.

The council’s actions were limited to authorizing vendor payments and directing staff to improve emergency planning; no change to VDOT’s responsibilities for roadway clearing was made at the Feb. 3 meeting.