An amendment to the village charter now spells out in detail what is required of the owner and occupant of every `` parcel of real estate adjoining a public sidewalk.’’

Village clerk Teri Barown said the amendment was adopted by the board of trustees in August. She said it was the recommendation of the New York Conference of Mayors that the local ordinance be updated to enhance enforceability.

The amendment states that sidewalks must be kept free of ice and snow for the full paved width. Property owners in the business district must keep a five-foot width of sidewalk clear of ice and snow from the front of the building outward.

Snow and ice must be removed within 24 hours after the end of a snowfall. Sidewalks in front of commercial establishments and commercial parking lots must be free of snow and ice at all times between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

In the event snow and ice become packed so hard that it cannot be removed without damaging the sidewalk within the allotted time, it shall be ``strewn and kept strewn with ashes, sand, sawdust or other suitable material, so as to be no longer dangerous to life and limb.’’ As soon as it is practical to do so, the sidewalk must be cleared of snow, ice and whatever was strewn thereon.

If the owner or occupant fails to remove snow and ice in a timely manner or within four hours of a notice from the Superintendent of Public Works, the village will remove the snow and ice and the occupant or owner will be billed for the cost of labor, equipment and materials. If not paid within 30 days, it will be assessed against the property and added to the tax bill.

According to the amendment, owners or occupants are:

to take measures to protect the public from falling snow, ice or water from buildings,

not to deposit snow and ice in village streets, and

not to deposit snow and ice on another parcel of real estate without the permission of the owner.

Violators may be subject to a fine of not more than $100 for each offense. Each day a violation continues is considered a separate offense.

The amendment also prohibits parking on village streets during a snowstorm or after a snowfall of six or more inches until the snow is plowed and removed.

Vehicles found parked, standing, unattended or abandoned on a village street may be towed.

A copy of the ordinance has been posted on the village’s website: www.cooperstownny.org.