Greenfield snow removal bill moving forward in council

November 19, 2015 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Councilmember David G. Greenfield’s bill would require the city to remove snow from pedestrian bridges as well as streets. Residents would still be responsible for clearing sidewalks. Eagle file photo by Paula Katinas

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While many New Yorkers are not looking forward to the cold, snow and ice that winter brings, Councilmember David G. Greenfield is looking ahead.

A bill Greenfield proposed to force the city to have a clear-cut snow removal plan for pedestrian bridges was the subject of a public hearing held by the council’s Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management on Nov. 12.

Councilmember Antonio Reynoso (D-Bushwick-Williamsburg) is chairman of the committee.

The proposed legislation would require that the city’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) include pedestrian bridges in its annual snow removal plan.

The plan would include information about the exact location of pedestrian bridges throughout the five boroughs, how snow and ice would be removed and information about which agency is responsible for clearing and maintaining the bridges.

Greenfield (D-Borough Park-Midwood-Bensonhurst) said that one of the problems that came up at the hearing is that as many as three different agencies might be responsible for clearing a pedestrian overpass. As a result, no single agency takes responsibility, he said.

“After hearing complaints from local residents, schools and senior centers about hazardous conditions at many pedestrian bridges during winter months, I am proud that this bill was heard in the Sanitation Committee. Pedestrian bridges and overpasses are usually unplowed creating dangerous conditions,” Greenfield said in a statement.

“During snow and ice events, pedestrian bridges can be very difficult to navigate. This bill will require DSNY [Department of Sanitation of New York] to proactively address this issue, which will ensure safety for those who depend on these bridges for their daily routes,” Reynoso said in a statement.

Greenfield has worked closely with the DSNY to improve snow removal efforts throughout Borough Park, Midwood and Bensonhurst, including funding to purchase two snow removal trucks specifically earmarked for use by the neighborhood sanitation garage

The acquisition of the trucks ensures that local sanitation crews have the equipment they need to effectively respond to ice and snow storms, Greenfield said.

He introduced his snow removal legislation on Feb. 4. The bill has the support of 19 council members representing neighborhoods across the city, he said.