Gillett residents charged $35 by the city for ice removal on slick sidewalks have flooded city officials with complaints.
“I know there’s been a lot of calls. I received a lot of calls, a lot of voice mails concerning the ice on the sidewalks,” said Terry Nelson, chairman of the Board of Public Works Committee, at Thursday’s City Council meeting.
Nelson said about 60 property owners were charged a $35 fee by the city, many after a Dec. 27 storm left an icy layer on sidewalks.
According to the Gillett city code, it’s the duty of owners or occupants of buildings to remove all snow or ice from a sidewalk at their premises within 24 hours of a storm, or the city clears the sidewalk and bills the property owner $35.
Leone Christensen, deputy clerk/treasurer, said the public works department checks the city for compliance 24 hours after a storm.
Nelson said some callers unhappy with the $35 bill harassed employees by using obscenities or issuing threats. He said further confrontations of this type could be reported to law enforcement.
“We should be able to talk a problem out in a normal manner,” he said.
Tim Christensen, director of public works, said he also received complaints from callers upset about the $35 charge. He said it’s an opportunity for the city to review its fees for the service.
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