HADLEY — As town officials look for ways to cut expenses due to the failed Proposition 2½ tax-cap override, reminders will soon go out to property owners that they are responsible for keeping sidewalks adjacent to their properties clear of snow and ice.
The Select Board Wednesday voted 5-0 to send a letter to both residents and businesses about the town bylaw requiring that sidewalks be passable for pedestrians within 12 hours of the conclusion of a winter storm.
As the Department of Public Works attempts to keep roads cleared with more limited staffing, not having to focus on sidewalks is seen as one way to save both money and reduce the use of resources.
“I would say, in my opinion, send a letter to all sidewalk abutters, hey, Jan. 1 we’re enforcing this bylaw and there’ll be penalties for not following the bylaw,” said Select Board member David J. Fill II.
The letter that will go out is expected to advise people that this enforcement will begin Feb. 1.
The town has traditionally cleared snow and ice from the sidewalks in the historic town center, including those on Middle and West streets and those sidewalks that run alongside public buildings such as Town Hall and Hopkins Academy.
DPW Director Scott McCarthy said his crews spent 3½ hours Tuesday and Wednesday making sure the sidewalks would be passable, ensuring that schools wouldn’t have to be delayed Wednesday. He estimated this meant $2,000 in staff time, a cost that will almost double when the multiuse paths and other sidewalks being built on Route 9 and South and North Maple streets are complete. Currently, Baltazar, the general contractor for the state project, is doing that clearing.
Interim Town Administrator Michael Mason said the town can barely do the road and sidewalk clearing with current staffing, which could be further reduced.
McCarthy said a strategy he used this week was to delay activation of plows to cut down on overtime, but there are consequences to doing this, as more snow and ice on the roads is harder on the equipment, and if the work isn’t complete in time, schools may face delays.
MassDOT already takes care of the sidewalks on and near the Coolidge Bridge.
Mason said fines of $100, $200 and $300 could be issued to residents and businesses that don’t follow the rule.
Select Board member Jane Nevinsmith said she was concerned that people who live on West Street and Middle Street might not be able to do the work themselves or afford to hire someone to clear snow.
Other board members said the hope is that the community and service organizations might be able to step up to help.
Fill said the biggest thing is getting ahead of the Route 9 sidewalks and the burden they will place on the town.
Fire Department changes
In other cost-saving moves prompted by the failed override, two full-time firefighters, Dwight Gregoire and Max Arvidson, worked their last shifts on Friday. They were the most recent hires at the department.
Fire Chief Michael Spanknebel said Gregoire started in 2024 and shortly after became a paramedic. “He has taken every emergency management program known to man, I believe,” Spanknebel said.
Arvidson joined the call force in 2023 and then took an accelerated basic EMT program.
“I’m going to miss them both,” Spanknebel said, adding that he is confident both will quickly find employment elsewhere due to the regional demand for firefighters, paramedics and EMTs.
“They’re going to be leaders in the fire service, so I can’t thank them enough for sharing their time with us,” Spanknebel said.
Both could still be part of the department’s call force or a per diem firefighter, he said.
Chairman Randy Izer said the layoffs, following impact bargaining with the union, were necessary because the town doesn’t have money to pay them. “As we all know, we have no choice in the matter at this time,” Izer said.
Spanknebel said there are other vacancies in the fire department include a deputy chief and lieutenant, meaning the department is under a big strain. This is delaying inspections and licensing.
“We’re doing the best we can, we’re going at as quick of a pace as we can,” Spanknebel said.