City-owned sweeper in need of  repairs, city to either increase charge or discontinue service next winter

Photo by Tucker Henderson
The City of New York Mills will continue to operate a sweeper to clear snow from businesses in the downtown area for this winter, but may discontinue the service in the future.

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

ising costs of repairs and maintenance could result in the City of New York Mills ending a snow removal program in the downtown business district.

During its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday night, the NY Mills City Council heard about a variety of repairs that are needed for the city’s sidewalk sweeper. Currently the city will sweep sidewalks of businesses when snow accumulates at a cost of $1.75 per linear foot throughout the winter. However, the city’s public works committee detailed several thousand dollars of upcoming repairs that will be needed moving forward.

In order to make the repairs to the sidewalk sweeper the city will need to increase its contract price to either $5 a linear foot, or suspend the program altogether. The cost of the snow removal is paid by the property owner.

City councilman Richard Grotheer said the city is committed to removing snow downtown this winter, but any change would take place during the 2024-25 winter months. If the city were to suspend the program, property owners would be required to move the snow from the sidewalk and to the streets for removal.

In order to gauge the interest from property owners downtown, Grotheer said the city will survey downtown property owners to see if they would like to see the city continue with the program at the increased price, or suspend it moving forward. 

In addition to the repairs, city councilman Jerry Nesland said the city is also facing a labor shortage and will need to ensure it has enough public works staff to continue the program in future years as well. 

In other news

• Heard the monthly liquor store report, which showed that net revenues in 2023 increased by 30.26 percent over 2022 and was up 2.03 percent as a percentage of sales from the previous year.

• Heard the monthly police report, which showed 198 calls for service during the month of December. Among the calls for service was 51 parking citations and 26 warnings during the month. 

• Held a public hearing concerning a property tax rebate for a new single and two-family eligible home in NY Mills. No one attended the hearing.