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From the Chief’s Desk: Winter is here!

January 7, 2026 by in Public SafetyWeather

FROM THE CHIEF’S DESK:

Snow is upon us, and with it comes plowing, shoveling, snowmobiling and overnight parking. I have included some tips to stay safe this winter season:

If you are plowing snow, it is unlawful to plow snow across the street. You can receive a traffic ticket. Plowing snow across the sidewalk or stacking it on the sidewalk is also unlawful and you can receive a ticket. Please do not plow snow banks or stack snow at the edge of driveways, as it is very difficult for homeowners to see exiting their driveways and entering into traffic safely.

Overnight parking (2:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m.) on the street is unlawful throughout the Village from November 1st until April 1st. Parking on the street overnight makes it difficult for our hard-working DPW employees to clear the snow. 

Snowmobilers: Please follow all guidelines set forth by New York State regarding safe operation and obey all laws pertaining to snowmobiles. The only exceptions are those set forth by the Village of Canastota local laws which I will go over with you:

– In the Village of Canastota it is lawful to operate on the roadway as long as you obey all traffic regulations, your maximum speed is 15 MPH, and you are on the right shoulder of the roadway.

– The only roadways that are not designated for travel and you may only cross are State Route 13, commonly known as Peterboro Street, and State Route 5, aka Seneca Turnpike. The designated crossing points on Peterboro Street are as follows: Chapel Street, Wilson Avenue, Hickory Street and Rasbach Street. Seneca Turnpike may be crossed by way of state law requirements.

– No person may operate a snowmobile on the sidewalk or rights of way reserved for pedestrians.

– No person may operate a snowmobile on any street in the Village between the hours of 11:00 p.m and 6:00 a.m.

– A person under the age of 16 may not operate a snowmobile on any village streets. If they are under the age of 18 they may not operate a snowmobile after 6:00 p.m. within the Village.

Please feel free to contact me regarding any of the above topics, or if you have any concerns you wish to discuss. My office phone number is (315) 697-2240, or stop in to the police station at 205 S. Peterboro Street during business hours and I will do my best to assist you.

Be safe,

Chief Sean T. Barton
Canastota Police Department

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