Germantown Residents Face Sidewalk Snow Removal Changes by 2026

UPDATE: Residents of Germantown will soon be responsible for clearing snow from their own sidewalks as the village board voted on December 1, 2023, against a new snow removal map proposal. The decision means that starting winter of 2026, property owners will need to take on the responsibility for maintaining several sidewalks, a significant shift from long-standing village practices.

The Department of Public Works (DPW) will reassess and revise the proposed map before presenting it again at their upcoming meeting on January 7, 2024. DPW Director Matt Mortwedt emphasized that this initial proposal was a first attempt to address the growing number of sidewalks in the community, stating, “We’d be in a place where we’re stretched pretty thin with our time and equipment.”

Currently, the village has been clearing sidewalks since the 1950s, but as Germantown develops, maintaining all sidewalks during winter has become increasingly challenging. Mortwedt indicated that the revised map will likely shift snow removal duties for sidewalks adjacent to homeowners while retaining village responsibility for those closer to backyards.

Community reactions have been mixed. Local resident Steve Thompson, who frequently walks with his dog Buddy, expressed concern over the potential changes. “Where I live, I don’t have any access to other neighborhoods except through plowed sidewalks,” he noted, highlighting the critical role of maintained pathways for mobility. Thompson recognized the village’s budgetary constraints but hopes key routes like Pilgrim Road and Donges Bay Road remain cleared.

The DPW aims to finalize the map by June 2024, so residents can prepare for the upcoming winter. As discussions continue, the community remains engaged, weighing the implications of these changes on daily life and accessibility.

Stay tuned for the latest updates as Germantown navigates these significant transitions in snow removal policy. The urgency of this matter resonates with residents who have come to rely on village services for their winter mobility.