The North Reading Police Department would like to remind local business owners that North Reading By-Law Chapter 158, section 9 requires the tenant, occupant or owner of any non-residential lots to exert reasonable effort to keep the sidewalk free from snow or ice. This is important to the safety of the citizens and visitors of North Reading.
If the sidewalks are not safe for pedestrian travel then it forces the walking public to use the streets which is a danger to the people walking as well as the motoring public. There have already been several instances in other communities where a pedestrian has been struck (Watertown, Attleboro and Lakeville all in the last week), we do not want to add North Reading to the list.
Warnings will be going out to businesses this week and citations will follow for those who do not comply. The penalty for the first offense is a warning, the second offense is $50.00 and the third and subsequent offense is $100.00. Each day or portion thereof during which a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
Please help continue to keep North Reading and its residents safe.