By Scott Taylor,Staff Writer

LEWISTON – Nano Zachary thinks Lewiston pedestrians need a break.

She’s tired of having to dodge snow-covered sidewalks and risk walking down busy streets just to get to work each morning.

“Maybe it’s a movement we can do, just reminding people to do the neighborly thing and just shovel their walks,” she said. She’s hoping to enlist some help from the city council.

Zachary walks the same route along Webster and Sabattus streets every morning and afternoon, between her house and her job at L.L. Bean’s call center. It’s not usually a problem, unless it has been snowing. Then the sidewalks can become a hazard, driving pedestrians out into the streets.

“Most people do a really nice job,” Zachary said. “But some of them, it seems like they couldn’t care less. They come right out and say that if you have to walk in the road, that’s your problem.”

But that’s not true. The city does have rules requiring property owners to keep the walks clear and passable.

“Besides, if I fall and hurt myself, they have the liability,” she said. “Maybe if you cannot appeal to them as a good neighbor, you can remind them that they’re legally responsible.”

She’s leading a fight to encourage people to do their part and clear their walks.

“I don’t know what, but something has to be done,” she said. “Maybe it’s just a program, people put signs that say they support their neighbors by shoveling. I don’t know.”

It’s not a problem unique to Lewiston. Officials in Portland began a program last year to fine property owners who didn’t shovel their walks. Portland Communications Director Peter DeWitt said the city only issued two fines last winter.

“Most people are very good at keeping their walks clear,” DeWitt said. “Even when they’re not, we encourage them strongly.”

DeWitt said the city starts by putting notices on door knobs, warning property owners that they might face fines. That’s followed up with a letter.

“If they still don’t, we shovel it ourselves and charge them for it, plus a 10 percent fee,” DeWitt said. That can amount to more than $100 in fines for properties with a lot of sidewalk.

More effort goes into a promotional program to encourage people to be good neighbors, he said.

Lewiston probably won’t follow suit, said Deputy City Administrator Phil Nadeau. City crews do clear some sidewalks, especially those leading to schools and shopping areas. Property owners in other areas are expected to keep their sidewalks clear, but the city stops short of issuing fines. Some lots don’t leave enough room for property owners to put snow shoveled from their sidewalks.

“And we have a lot of elderly, and we’re not going to fine them,” he said.

Instead, the city expects property owners to do what’s right.

Zachary said she’s reached the same conclusion. She’s started calling property owners with snowy sidewalks, reminding them to shovel.

“I’m really nice when I call, but I’m working from the assumption that they don’t understand,” Zachary said. “We’ll have to see what happens next.”