Homeowners do not have to shovel their sidewalks but it is the neighborly thing to do and makes winter walking so much safer for all of us. (It IS required in Chicago, Evanston and some other suburbs.) If you have an elderly neighbor, why not shovel their walk, too?
The job is much easier before anyone walks on the snow, so try to get out there without delay. Shoveling twice is sometimes easier than waiting for the storm to pass. Go easy on the salt and ice melt products as these can be harmful to plants and aquatic life. Snow blowers can make the job easier, but add significantly to noise and air pollution – and, of course, use fossil fuels. If you can’t shovel your walks, consider investing in a quieter, cleaner electric snow blower.
The Village plows walks after a 4″ snowfall, but that can take up to 72 hours.
