Montgomery is looking to get tougher on people parking illegally on the street during a snowstorm.
Montgomery Director of Public Works Todd Hoppenstedt recently showed village trustees a video taken from behind a snowplow as the driver attempted to divert snow to the curb. Hoppenstedt said cars were parked on both sides of the street and numerous garbage containers were in the road.
He added it wasn’t even garbage day in the area where the video was taken, yet in the first 10 seconds, three garbage cans and 11 vehicles were visible in the video, he said.
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He said he made the recording to emphasize the dangers parking on the street pose to snowplow drivers.
“We will be working with the police department and legal counsel to draft a new ordinance for village board approval,” he said after viewing the tape.
Current rules for parking in many areas in the village state that it is unlawful for anyone to park there after 2 inches of snow have fallen. The rule is in effect until the street is plowed.
“Many residents are putting garbage totes in the roadway and plow drivers are at risk because of all the vehicles parked on the street,” Hoppenstedt said. “I would like to reduce the 2 inches to no parking on the street. There is no magic number of inches.”
He is recommending there be no parking on the street until eight hours after a storm.
“It is very challenging for our plow drivers to navigate the streets. The plow is only inches from mirrors on a car as the plow is 11 feet wide and with cars on both sides,” he said.
Montgomery Police Chief Dan Meyers said numerous tickets have been written to people illegally parking in snowstorms like the one last week.
“We just want them to move their car. I’d like the recommendations to roll out next year but really enforce this from the start of the snowfall. We need to promote it. Get your car off the road,” said Mayor Matt Brolley.
Trustee Steve Jungermann said he thinks the fines for violations need to be higher to encourage compliance. Brolley suggested a first fine of $25 but if the parking continues to be a problem, the fine goes to $100.
Trustee Stan Bond said the suggested actions are fine but he also wanted more notice about parking regulations.
“We need to be more persuasive next year,” he said. “We need more signage next season.”
Village Administrator Jeff Zoephel said any new rules would not go into force until next winter.
Judy Pochel is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.