By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG -- A resident at the senior towers told City Councilors Monday he was injured as a result of snow-covered sidewalks.

Scott Madill, who uses a wheelchair to get around, spoke before council Monday. Madill said many of the city sidewalks have not been cleared of snow and ice forcing him to use the roadway in order to get around.

Madill said he was recently injured after the uncleared sidewalks forced him to take an alterative route. He did not threaten legal action against the city, but feared someone could be hurt if the sidewalks remained uncleared.

Ogdensburg Fire Chief Mike Farrel told him Madill the city has been actively working to notify residents of the their responsibility to clear snow from the sidewalks, but is bound by legal restrictions as to the process.

Farrell said residents are notified of violations 24 hours after snowfall occurs to ensure there is proper time to clear the precipitation. If it is not cleared within that time a notice to remedy is issued. Residents then have five business days to clear the snow.

Department of Public Works Director Scott Thornhill said that if the snow remains uncleared the city then cleans the sidewalk and issues a bill to the home or business owner. The bills are typically more than $150.

Thornhill said more than 40 notices have been issued in recent weeks.

Madill said he’d like the city continue to remind residents of their obligation for fear others could be injured due to the snowy sidewalks.