New Kensington-Arnold students to take snow-covered sidewalk concerns to cities' officials

Despite temperatures well above freezing, stretches of sidewalks in New Kensington and Arnold still could be found covered in snow Wednesday as the region braced for the next winter storm expected to bring a mix of snow and ice.

The last measurable snow fell Jan. 28, according to the National Weather Service. Some of the snow remaining on sidewalks five days later in the two cities had been compacted into slick ice.

Student leaders at Valley High School have noticed this, and intend on taking their concerns to city officials in New Kensington and Arnold, said Elizabeth Ervin, junior class president.

Ervin gave the student council report to the New Kensington-­Arnold School Board on Tuesday.

Ervin said they are concerned their classmates, across all grade levels, who walk to school are having to walk in the streets because people are not shoveling the sidewalks in front of their homes.

Both cities have regulations requiring snow and ice removal from sidewalks.

Under New Kensington’s ordinance, owners, occupants and tenants of properties are required to remove snow and ice from sidewalks within 24 hours of it falling.

If the snow or ice isn’t removed, the city is supposed to take care of it and collect the cost from the owner, occupant or tenant, the ordinance states. That cost would be in addition to a fine of as much as $600 plus costs.

According to Arnold’s property maintenance regulations, owners and occupants are required to keep areas including paths and walks free of hazards, including icy conditions and uncleared snow.

Information about Arnold’s penalties was not immediately available.

New Kensington-Arnold Superintendent Chris Sefcheck said the district has not received any reports of students being hurt from falling on snow-covered sidewalks.

Sefcheck said he is not surprised the district’s student leaders “have the vision and motivation to work with city officials” on the issue.

“Our team of student leaders consists of high-achieving, passionate and visionary young women and men,” he said. “They are committed to working collaboratively with multiple levels of school and community to achieve a better school experience for everyone.

“What is more impressive to me is the fact that our student body interacts with their own student government leaders to facilitate positive change.”