EAST AURORA
East Aurora considers fees for snow plow drivers
East Aurora is looking to crack down on private snowplow operators hired by village residents and businesses to clear driveways.
The village has proposed — though it delayed taking action last month — requiring snowplow contractors to register with the village for a permit and pay a $25 per plow truck fee, starting next winter.
“It’s just another way for government to get into our pockets,” a private plow operator told the Village Board at a recent meeting. “All we’re trying to do is make a few extra bucks.”
Village officials defend their proposal by noting that in the dead of winter, snowplow contractors often are out doing their job during the night and end up leaving snow jammed in the streets and on sidewalks. They say the snow piles make the work of village public works crews more difficult the following morning when they must clear the streets and sidewalks for schoolchildren and pedestrians.
“It’s sort of like snowplow jockeys — packing in and out all night long,” said Village Administrator Kimberly Reichert. “We want them to register with the village so we know who is plowing.”
Other plow operators worried about the impact that such a requirement could have on their insurance.
Other critics questioned how village police would enforce such a requirement in the middle of the night. Village staff responded that vehicle stickers proving registration would be created and designed so that they reflect light and are visible at night. They would be placed in the truck’s front window.
“How are two nighttime patrolmen going to enforce this?” said village resident Myla LeBLanc. “I think this is unfair targeting of plow drivers.”
Plow driver Dave Closs questioned the merit behind a new fee. “How do you keep track of the bad people who put snow on the sidewalks? I don’t see what good this fee will do.”
Some plow drivers apparently were worried about the impact of possibly having to buy commercial insurance.
“Residential auto insurance will not cover this. You’re way out in left field,” plow driver Don Pressing, who operates a fleet of 10 trucks, told the Village Board.
Local attorney Arthur Giacalone questioned how residents plowing out a neighbor’s driveway would be affected by the proposal and how the village would handle people blowing snow into the street when village code forbids people from piling snow. He said he found the proposal to be “ambiguous.”
Reichert said the village will not require commercial insurance, but the village does need proof that plow operators have some form of insurance. She also said it would be likely that a $25 fee per truck would be charged, but that the fee might be capped for fleets that exceed a certain number of trucks.
Trustee Al Kasprzak noted that plow drivers have faced permit requirements in other communities for years.
However, Trustee Patrick McDonnell said he thinks the village is “trying to micro- manage legislation.”
Log into MyBuffalo to post a comment
MyBuffalo is the new social network from Buffalo.com. Your MyBuffalo account lets you comment on and rate stories at buffalonews.com. You can also head over to mybuffalo.com to share your blog posts, stories, photos, and videos with the community. Join now or learn more.
Reader comments