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Phoenixville Borough has a bad case of “do as I say, not as I do” according to one Dayton Street resident. Frank Tammaro has lived in Phoenixville his whole life. Not only does Frank take care of his sidewalk, he was plowing North Street as a public service to his neighbors for the last three years.
Based on Frank’s account, it started snowing on Monday night, December 27th. On Tuesday, December 28th around 2 p.m., a citation was taped to his mailbox that carried a $92 fine. According to Phoenixville Borough code, snow is supposed to be removed within 24 hours after the storm. Frank’s fine was received before the 24-hour grace period.
Frank decided to check the sidewalks Phoenixville Borough is responsible for to see if they followed their own rules. Frank took pictures of snow-covered sidewalks on the Veteran’s Bridge Gay Street Bridge and a sidewalk outside of District Justice Theodore Michael’s court along Bridge Street. These areas are the borough’s responsibility. Based on Frank’s pictures, they should fine themselves.
Not only has Phoenixville failed to follow their own sidewalk rules, they were not plowing some borough streets. Frank was plowing North Street so his neighbors could avoid getting their cars stuck in the snow. Frank says he is done plowing North Street. It is the borough’s responsibility. I can not blame Frank for feeling that way.
To add insult to injury, Frank was not given the courtesy of a return call from Phoenixville Borough Manager, E. Jean Krack, about his fine.
Frank’s first hearing was postponed. When Frank arrived at Judge Michaels’ office, he was told the office was closing five minutes before his scheduled hearing due to inclement weather. It seems contacting Frank to tell him his hearing would need to be rescheduled was not on anybody’s radar??? Frank needs to make a second trip on February 9th to address his questionable citation.
It would seem Phoenixville government needs to get its house in order. I think Frank deserves an apology and his citation needs to be rescinded. If you are going to ticket residents for not removing snow from their sidewalks in a timely manner, you darn well better follow you own rules.
Two Roy’s Rants thumbs DOWN for Phoenixville Borough.
