MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - We have had our first taste of the winter storms to come, and the Township wants to make sure the sidewalks stay clear this winter.
The Meridian Township snow removal ordinance says that residents have 24 hours following a snow storm to clear the sidewalks in front of their property of snow and ice. If the sidewalk is not cleared the Township will issue warnings to owners of snow covered properties.
The owners then have an additional 24 hours to clear the snow, and if they do not do so the Township will clear the snow and bill the resident for the work. The bill must be paid within 30 days.

“It will depend on what it is, it may be $50, it may be more than that, Severy said. “It depends on the amount of snow and the length of sidewalk they have. If they have a very narrow lot it will be less, if they have a huge corner lot it will be a lot more.”

Previously residents had 24 hours following a snow storm to clear the sidewalk in front of their property of snow, and if the snow was not removed the owner of the property would be issued a ticket. However this left the sidewalk covered in snow. Residents who know they will be out of town are encouraged to make arrangements for removing snow from their sidewalks.

The township does not plan on bringing in any additional workers to clear the sidewalks, and at this point there is no expected appeal process for people who receive warnings and eventual bills.