Residents responsible for snow removal

By Lewis Smith, USAG Vicenza Housing Division chief

The city of Vicenza has issued a new special ordinance that requires all residents to clear snow and ice from the sidewalks in front of their homes or be ticketed with a fine of 50 euros.

In the past, this has always been an expectation, but due to many residents not complying, city hall decided to make this an obligation with failure to comply being punished with a fine. Officials at Caserma Ederle are trying to find out if other city halls or comune have followed suit with similar special ordinances but in the meantime to be sure, and also as a common courtesy to pedestrians, regardless of where they live, residents should ensure that sidewalks in front of their homes are cleared of snow and ice. Exceptions to this would be personnel who live in private rental multi-apartment buildings where normally the building administrator should organize having the sidewalks cleared as part of the condominium expenses. However, in buildings with only two apartments, each family should clear a stretch of the sidewalk. If you are not at home, you should ask a neighbor or friend to check for you, as you could still be fined.

Government leased quarters for families and unaccompanied personnel are also affected. However, in multi-apartment buildings, the building coordinator will have to organize work parties to clear the snow and ice. In single-occupancy houses, duplexes or townhouse type homes, individual residents will
be responsible. The Directorate of Public Works will perform snow removal on the streets in Villaggio however occupants must clear the sidewalks in front of their homes and the access path to their quarters. For residents of Villaggio and leased government quarters, snow shovels and salt may be signed out from the U-Do-It center in Villaggio.

Do not use water to clear snow as this will form ice. For occupants of private-rental housing, snow shovels and salt are available at the shoppette as well as most Italian hardware stores. Shovels at the Shopette range from $9 to $12. In the case of heavy snow, occupants should also look up at roofs to see if there is any danger of blocks of snow sliding off and causing damage to persons or property. If it looks risky, occupants should call the housing help desk at 0444-71- 8283/7845 during working hours and they will coordinate with landlords for assistance. In case of an emergency after normal duty hours, contact the IOC at 0444-71-7867 and they will contact the on-call housing representative to provide coordination of assistance.