Chief’s Corner

By Chief Steven J. Wojnar

Dudley Police Department

            The snow season often brings questions about snow removal.  Clearing of sidewalks is always a lively topic of discussion.  I was asked how long a person has to clear the snow from their sidewalk after a storm?
            According to our Town By-Laws, there is no set and fast rule on the period of removal.  Article eight section four is the by-law covering this situation.  This law requires every owner, tenant, or occupant of a building abutting a finished sidewalk, to keep the area free from many substances, including snow and ice.  These areas should be cleared during the period when the snow plows have completed the major removal of snow during a storm and before the slush/snow has the opportunity to freeze and become ice.  As a general rule, some time within twenty-four hours after a storm's ends is the prime opportunity to perform this task.  Penalties for a failure to clear sidewalks can be twenty dollars per day.
            For those residents who are elderly or disabled and unable to clear these areas, the Dudley Leo's Club, the junior organization of the Dudley Lions Club, has once again volunteered to shovel these areas free of charge.  You can be added to the list by calling our station and a member of the club will be out soon after the storm to perform this duty.  I thank them once again for this service which not only assists the property owner but also the general public who uses the sidewalks every day.
            I wish to thank the Dudley PTO, the many school employees, the parents, and volunteers for their hard work with the Holiday Shop, which took place on Saturday, December 2nd at Dudley Elementary School.  As an added bonus, the PTO generously offered the profits from their photos with Santa to the Jimmy Fund, to assist in the fight against cancer.  The final totals are still being tabulated, but are in the range of $400.  The Jimmy Fund is the major charity of The Mass Chiefs of Police Association and I thank the PTO and all those who have assisted me in donating almost $1,200 this year to this very worthy cause.

            I also thank New England Patriot Linebacker Roosevelt Colvin for taking the time to visit our Dudley Middle School on Tuesday, November 28^th.  Seventh Grade Student Matthew Sandstrom won a contest sponsored by CVS after purchasing a “Rosey’s Sack Pack.”  These back packs are being sold to benefit Easter Seals and people with disabilities.  Mr. Colvin visited with the students and delivered many powerful messages to all those present.  I thank CVS and Rosey for this program and helping out an important cause.

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