The Tisbury selectmen, concerned about the high number of sidewalks around town that remained impassable long after the recent storms had ended, remind residents and business owners that nonremoval of snow is a violation of a town bylaw, punishable by a fine.

The bylaw states: “The tenant, occupant, owner, or agent of any building, or lot of land, bordering on any street where there is a sidewalk, shall within four hours after the ceasing to fall of snow thereon, if in the day time, and if in the night, before eleven o’clock in the forenoon succeeding, cause the snow to be removed. In default thereof upon complaint made by the selectmen, shall forfeit and pay a sum of twenty dollars.”

Board chairman Tristan Israel said in a press release: “It is critically important that home owners and property owners living next to sidewalks make every effort to keep the sidewalks clear. Sidewalks that are not cleared create a multitude of problems including forcing people to walk in the street while also eliminating locations in which school children regularly wait for the bus. These are but two examples of the unsafe situations snow and icebound sidewalks can create.”

The selectmen discussed increased enforcement of the bylaw at their last meeting. The building inspector and police chief agreed that public safety was paramount and that they would intensify enforcement.

Anyone with comments or concerns may contact town administrator John Bugbee at 508-696-4203.