Some LI Residents Contend With Snow-Covered Sidewalks Days After Last Snowstorm
NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - There's a back-and-forth battle in the snow clean-up effort on Long Island.
As CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan reported, shoveled sidewalks have been quickly covered with snow and ice after plows pass by.
Some senior citizens in New Hyde Park said they can't keep up and worry they will be fined hundreds of dollars.
"God puts it there, I take it away, and then the state comes along and they put it back," William Jordan, 85, told McLogan.
Jordan said he works to clear off the sidewalk in from of his home after every snowstorm. But once his hard work is done, Jordan said New York State plows come down Hillside Avenue and shoot gritty snow and ice back onto his sidewalk where it refreezes.
He said he's concerned about incurring a fine for not re-clearing his sidewalk.
"I think it's four hours they allow you after the snowfall," Jordan told McLogan.
The fines range from $250 to $1,000.
"I was going to put a sign out here that if you have to walk in the street, don't blame me, call the DOT - Department of Transportation - they put it there," said Jordan.
The state told CBS 2 that plow operators will be asked to slow down in Jordan's neighborhood.
The village of New Hyde Park said it will work to give the elderly a break on citations.
Meantime, residents in Elmont are demanding that businesses be held accountable for failing to shovel their sidewalks.
Donna French told McLogan that her granddaughter is forced to walk in the street along the Hempstead Turnpike to get to school each day.
"Somebody has to do something," French said. "I've called the village, they passed it on to someone else. I called the state, they tell me it's not their job, they tell me to call the police department. They pass the buck."
The Town of Hempstead responded to the concerns about snow removal.
"We've issued notices of violation, which are like a warning, to some businesses along Hempstead Turnpike. We respond to complaints," said town spokesman Mike Deery.
According to village and town code in Elmont, snow and ice must be cleared from curb to property line within four hours of snowfall, excluding the overnight hours.
Some Long Island residents have also called in multiple complaints that they are being plowed in with four feet of ice on their driveways.
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