KROX has received several messages, calls and questions regarding snow removal on sidewalks, trails and at intersections over the past couple of weeks. We took those questions to City Administrator Shannon Stassen, first about the trail on Fisher Ave. and some other sidewalks throughout town being covered in snow. “There are some trail area and sidewalk that we are responsible for,” said Stassen. “During heavier snowfall winters it can get beyond what our park crew’s equipment can handle. When that happens, we have to wait until the street crew who has larger equipment has availability. They are still clearing piles and then will be working intersections and improving the sight lines there. We have quite a way to go there and then we’ll work on the trails like on Fisher. We ask for patience, we’re putting our full effort in with all of our crews, it’s just gotten pretty deep and we don’t get a break either.”
The Park equipment is also unable to handle the heavy drifts that have filled in the rink at the Crookston Sports Center. As for sidewalks, in most cases, property owners are responsible for the sidewalk along their property, although the City doesn’t actively check compliance unless they receive complaints. “In general, residents are responsible for the sidewalks in front of their place,” said Stassen. “So, if you’re on a corner you have twice as much sidewalk in most cases and have the responsibility of clearing access to the street on that corner as well. We rely on complaint-based enforcement so if someone has a concern, they can call down to City Hall and we will have someone go out when we can get to the point of addressing it. We will go out and take pictures and clear if we need to and then assess it. We haven’t had that in a long time, to my knowledge there has been just one call this year. I think people are understanding in general that we have a lot of catching up to do as a city crew.”
Stassen encourages residents who have the capability to assist their neighbors when possible. “We encourage people to help their neighbors,” said Stassen. “I know I benefit from that. I have very kind neighbors who sometimes before I even head outside have my sidewalk cleared. If you get a chance to do that and help people out especially in a winter like this, it is nice to do that.”
If you have a question or complaint about snow removal on a trail or sidewalk, Stassen says to call City Hall at 281-1232.
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