[Adopted 4-1-2004 by L.L. No. 3-2004]
The purpose of this article is to establish the policy and level of service with respect to the clearance of snow or ice and the maintenance of the Pound Ridge road system during the winter months. For the purpose of this article, "winter months" will be defined as that period of time between November 1 and April 15 of any calendar year.
Clearance of snow or ice and maintenance of the road system during the winter months is primarily for the benefit of local residents of the Town of Pound Ridge. Each storm has individual characteristics and must be dealt with accordingly. The portion of the roadway improved for travel will have upon it from time to time snow and/or ice in loose to compacted conditions. These conditions may be continuous, or they may be more concentrated on hills, in valleys, curves, protected or environmentally sensitive areas and/or intersections. The entire width of a roadway may not be cleared of all snow, ice, compacted snow or ice, or frost. Snow cleared from that part of the roadway improved for travel shall be placed on or in the adjacent shoulder, ditch, or right-of-way. Snow can be expected to accumulate adjacent to the traveled portion of the roadway to the extent that a motorist's sight distance to both left and right may be reduced or impaired. Snow removed from intersections may be placed in the intersection corners in piles of unequal height. Visibility of motorists may be reduced or impaired when approaching these intersections. The Town of Pound Ridge shall not be responsible for snow pushed or otherwise placed on the roadway or shoulders by others. Motorists shall drive their vehicles during these conditions with additional caution and watchfulness, especially with respect to the surface of the roadway and to reduced or impaired visibility. During these conditions, no additional warning or regulatory signs will be placed warning of impaired sight distances, visibility, or that the road surface is slick or slippery, or what the advised speed would be. Road signs indicating areas of environmental sensitivity will be placed to advise of areas of reduced salt usage. It is not the policy of the Town of Pound Ridge to provide a dry or clear and wet pavement conditions during times of snow or ice buildup on the public roadways.
Snow removal operations may result in the snow being deposited in entrances to private roads or drives. The Town of Pound Ridge shall not be responsible for removing such deposits nor for any snow removal operations with respect to private drives, roads and entrances. Snow removed from private drives, roadways and entrances shall not be placed on the traveled portion of any roadway.
The Town of Pound Ridge shall establish no time limit before, during or after a snowstorm, for any snow removal and ice control operations. This will be accomplished as rapidly as weather and other constraints allow, with no commitment, either expressed or implied, to have any single operation or combination of operations accomplished within a particular time period.
The sequences and level of service during snow and /or ice removal operations may be superseded from time to time during emergency conditions. An emergency condition shall be considered as one where loss of human life is probable, a serious injury or illness has occurred which requires immediate medical attention or the extensive loss of property is imminent. These emergency requests shall normally come from the Fire Department, Police Department, Ambulance Corps or other emergency service and will be honored immediately. Emergency request from individuals should be verified as such and once confirmed, shall be honored. Out of ordinary requests may be considered from time-to-time for nonemergency situations.
The Town's obligation to remove snow and ice from roadways takes precedence over accidental damage to privately owned fences, gates, vehicles or mailboxes. Reasonable care will be used to avoid damage to private property; but due to conditions of winter, the Town assumes no liability in the event of damage unless it can be established that operator negligence was the primary reason for the damage.
This article was enacted to facilitate snow and ice removal from public highways in the Town of Pound Ridge. Vehicles that are parked or block the streets, intersections or culs-de-sac hinder snow removal and delay the clearing and opening of roadways. The Pound Ridge Police Department, the New York State Police, and the Pound Ridge Highway Department have the power to cause removal of any vehicle left unattended, parked or abandoned on any public highway or on the right-of-way of any public highway during a time of snow and/or ice removal. While attempts will be made to contact the owners/operators of such vehicles, the Town shall have authority to remove any vehicle that hinders the snow removal process on public highways or in the parking districts of the Town of Pound Ridge. Vehicles towed in accordance with this section shall be stored on the premises of the towing service and shall be restored to the owner or operator of such vehicle upon payment by the owner or operator to the towing service for any fees related to the towing and storage of said vehicle.
A. 
It shall be unlawful to park any vehicle on any public street, sidewalk, or right-of-way during the winter months as described in § 100-19 of this article.
B. 
It shall be unlawful to park any vehicle on any public street, sidewalk or right-of-way in the Town of Pound Ridge during a snowfall or ice storm or within 48 hours thereafter.
C. 
For the purposes of this section, a vehicle is defined as every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this article, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of no less than $25 for the first offense and $100 for any subsequent offenses.