By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Councillor Brian Darling conveyed a warning at Tuesday’s meeting to owners of properties that have vegetation close to the sidewalks.
Sidewalk inspections are going on now, Darling said. But obstructions posed by vegetation on a private property are the responsibility of the property owner.
In some cases, overgrown vegetation is a clear hazard, forcing people off sidewalks and into potentially unsafe situations. He has even seen some trees that could give a poke in the eye to anyone walking by who wasn’t paying attention.
“We are asking residents to make sure they trim their bushes and trees well back from the sidewalks,” Darling said.
“If not, they are receiving letters notifying them they are the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain.”
A 28-day period will be allowed, he said, after which the town may proceed with the work and recoup expenditures of time and materials by billing the homeowner.
