Several Coventry Patch readers have asked me the following question: "Who is responsible for clearing the sidewalks in town?"

The answer: The owner or occupant of the residence abutting the sidewalk in question. And you've got four hours to do that after the sun comes up. This also includes clearing snow from around fire hydrants so they are accessible to emergency responders. See below for the complete bylaw as it relates to this issue.

Town of Coventry's Code of Ordinance § 209-7, "Removal of snow required; restrictions on deposit of snow" reads as follows:

A. All owners, occupants or persons having care of any building or lot bordering on any street, highway or public place within the Town shall, within the first four hours of daylight after the end of any snowfall or the fall or deposit of snow on the sidewalk of the building or lot from any cause whatsoever, remove or cause to be removed all snow from around any fire hydrant, police and fire box or alarms, and any other emergency call box or alarm, on the sidewalk in front of the building or lot.

Sections B-D reference depositing snow in a way that could cause a hazardous condition. Rhode Island General Law 31-22-9 as well as Town of Coventry Ordinance 209-7 prohibits any person from removing snow from any driveway public or private and leaving the snow in any condition so as to constitute a hazard on the roadway. The fine for plowing, shoveling, or snowblowing snow into a street or road and creating a hazard is $85.00.

B. No owner, lessee or occupant of any premises or any person cleaning or removing snow therefrom shall deposit or cause to be deposited any snow from the premises upon any highway.

C. No owner, lessee or occupant of any premises or any person cleaning or removing snow therefrom shall deposit or cause to be deposited any snow from the premises in front of any fire, police or other emergency alarm box.

D. No owner, lessee or occupant of any premises or any person cleaning or removing snow therefrom shall deposit or cause to be deposited any snow from the premises upon the property of another, including the driveway of another, so as to prevent that person from egress or ingress into or off his property.