Record Home Foreclosures Cause Snow Removal Problems
In the Twin Cities, snow must be removed from sidewalks within 24 hours. But due to the large number of foreclosures in the area, the sidewalks of these homes are not being cleared.
If a sidewalk stays covered in snow for more than a day, a letter is mailed to the address. If nothing happens, city crews come and do the work. The city of St. Paul charges $160 an hour, while Minneapolis charges $300 an hour—plus a $103 citation.
"We only have limited resources to do the work," said Minneapolis city spokesman Mike Kennedy.
And now for the kicker:
If there are no homeowners to pay the snow removal costs, it will be forwarded to the bank that owns the foreclosed home.
Banks -- Either hedge up with snowfall contracts or expect some snow removal writedowns. Or you could always post job ads for snow plowers.
This is sad but funny. It's like the story of foreclosed homes with swimming pool attracting mosquitoes spreading West Nile Virus.
Posted by: ryan | December 05, 2007 at 04:58 PM
Where else I would find a $300/hr job?
Posted by: annoymous | December 05, 2007 at 04:59 PM