As the second week of winter progresses with more snow predicted, some residents wonder what exactly to do with the white stuff.

Residents of towns around Cayuga County have more room to stash snow, but some Auburn residents in congested neighborhoods have to be creative with their placement.

Auburn Fire Chief Mike Hammon warns people to keep hydrants clear from piles of snow. Not only do firefighters have to dig them out to use them, but some can become damaged when drivers can't see them.

A hydrant was pushed to a 45-degree angle on Columbus Street after a snow bank enveloped it, Hammon said.

Some rental-heavy neighborhoods have friction between tenants and landlords over questions about who is responsible.

Often, these situations are a matter of private arrangements.

The city charter names either the owner or the tenant as responsible for clearing driveways and sidewalks. However, the city would only charge the property owner in the event someone didn't clean off the walkways. The city charter states people have 24 hours following any storm to remove the precipitation before Department of Public Works employees would remove it.

However, the city would then charge the property owner for any work, materials and administrative expenses.

The Auburn City Council added to an ordinance in November 2001 that states snow removed from sidewalks or private drives can not be put on other sidewalks, the public street or city right-of-ways. Such actions could hinder accessibility, specifically for the disabled, and otherwise cause problems with visibility and other safety issues.

At the time, councilors raised questions about streets with little or no room to push snow, such as John, North and School streets.

The city bylaws do not detail where it is acceptable to dump plows loads, but state snow can't go back on streets, around fire hydrants, or in the way of bus stops.

The city has the power to issue fines for any such violations, each costing between $25 to $100.

However, city hall receives the majority of complaints against the city, rather than neighbors pushing snow on each other's properties, or into the city roads. The mayor's office receives many gripes, such as the city plows pushing snow into driveways as they go by, sidewalks yet uncovered, snowbanks made to high to block view.

Regardless of how people handle the precipitation, everyone needs to be mindful of residents who walk regularly. Tall snowdrifts and slippery walkways can be a safety issue, Hammon said.

“There are a lot of folks in our community that are a little less than agile. ... It's important to keep it clean for those folks,” he said.

He recently helped a man who fell trying to walk through a snow bank. Clearing of the sidewalks are not just for the property owner's sake, adding he has more than 150 feet of sidewalks to clean.

Some property owners skip the shovel and pick up the phone instead to call plow drivers.

Few laws regulate the season workers.

The state Department of Motor Vehicles representative said plow drivers would only need a commercial license based on the weight of their truck, not the usage. Drivers who affix a plow to their vehicle would likely not need any special license, even if they offer their services for money. Also, filling “Doing Business As” paperwork at the county clerk's office isn't mandatory.

Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311. ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net