The vast majority of residents in the villages of West Salem and Bangor have been conscientious about keeping their sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Those who aren’t, however, could face some pocketbook punishment.

West Salem Village Administrator Teresa Schnitzler said the village has an ordinance very similar to La Crosse’s when it comes to sidewalk snow removal. “Property owners have 24 hours after a snowfall to completely clear their sidewalks of snow and ice,” she said.

The ordinance also states that if the village has to have workers come in and clear a sidewalk, the charge is $75.

West Salem Public Works Director Scott Halbrucker indicated a desire to work with property owners if at all possible, and it’s likely residents will have a bit more than 24 hours before they come under village scrutiny. After the village has cleaned up all its snow responsibilities (streets, at least 16 sections of sidewalk, parking lots at the village hall and the library, etc.), Halbrucker will send staff members out to check where sidewalks are not yet cleared.

“I can’t see citing somebody until we get all our own responsibilities taken care of,” Halbrucker said.

Although, by ordinance, the village could simply go ahead and clear obstructed sidewalks and send out a bill, Halbrucker said he gives people one final opportunity to avoid payment.

“I’ll send two guys out to look around,” he said. “They’ll post the ordinance on the door if no one’s home. If someone’s home they’ll explain the situation and give them a day to clear the walks.”

That procedure was followed last year and it seemed to work well. “I’d say at least 90 percent of those we contacted took action on their own before we had to do it,” Halbrucker said.”

According to village worker Merle Noren, who was looking for uncleared sidewalks last Wednesday, most residents comply with the ordinance. “The only places we have problems are homes that aren’t occupied or for sale and a few businesses,” he said.

Bangor has a similar policy to West Salem, although the penalty for not shoveling is not quite as steep.

“We give them 24 hours after a storm to clear it,” said Bangor’s Public Works Director Steve Baker. “If they don’t and we have to send someone out to do it, the minimum charge is $30.”

And in Bangor, like West Salem, the majority of property owners are conscientious about doing their part to see that other residents can negotiate village sidewalks.

“Actually, it hasn’t been much of a problem,” Baker said. “Everybody has been pretty good about it. There may be a house or two that are exceptions, but they’re usually places where no one’s living.”