Public Works employees can issue parking tickets

The next parking ticket the Village of Belgium residents receive might come from the person who just cleared their driveway.

The Village Board last month authorized full-time Public Works Department employees to issue parking tickets while snow plowing.

Public Works Director Dan Birenbaum was given the authority a few years ago, and he asked for the expansion so he doesn’t need to keep being pulled from his plowing route.

“I have to leave my snow plowing area to put them on there. We have to get them on before 7,” he said.

“It makes total sense to me,” Trustee Rose Sauers said.

Trustee Andrew Bartley asked Birenbaum how often that happens.

“Every time,” Birenbaum said.

“Since the guys are out on the road at the time that they need the vehicles out of their way it makes sense to me, and the village citizenry has been given plenty of warning that this is coming,” Sauers said.

Parking is not allowed on any street, alley or public right-of-way between 3 to 7 a.m. from Nov. 15 through March 31.

Village Marshal Leon Anzia can also issue tickets.

“But if there’s a big snow storm, I’m not going to be out there,” he said as the Village Board laughed.

ν Anzia’s report for November included tagging two vehicles for towing that were removed the next day.

He started handing out winter parking warnings on Nov. 17, a total of 83 in two weeks, including 57 on the first day. He started writing parking tickets on Dec. 1.