Letters

The uncleared state of sidewalks in Sag Harbor Village in the wake of our recent snow events is deplorable.

All home and business owners with sidewalks in front of them know, or should know, that it is their responsibility, per the village code, to clear those sidewalks of ice and snow as soon as possible. And yet days after snow has fallen, sidewalks remain hazardous ice and snow fields punctuated with all-too-rare cleared patches. Walkers often have to resort to walking in the streets, an unacceptable and dangerous solution.

I slipped and fell on Madison Street and broke my upper arm bone in three places, necessitating an ambulance trip to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital (many thanks go to two passing Good Samaritans and our own fine ambulance corps), weeks in a sling, and months of physical therapy. I was lucky — my accident could have been much worse.

Absence from the village at the time of a snow event does not absolve a homeowner of the responsibility to maintain safely passable sidewalks. This is an urgent matter exacerbated by the procedural difficulties of code enforcement and the minimal repercussions for disregarding or delaying adherence to the village safety codes.

I understand that letters have been written to the mayor and that the issue has been raised before the Village Board several times, to no avail. This is an altogether shameful situation that does not befit our village.

Sanna Feirstein

Sag Harbor