CALUMET — Snow removal was a topic of discussion at last Tuesday’s regular monthly meeting, which the council members agreed would remain at last year’s rate, about $5 per foot for sidewalks. The discussion centered on a letter to be sent to residents outlining the various points of the village’s snow removal contracts for the upcoming season.

Changes include how the payments will be made. Trustee Peggy Germain said this year residents are asked to pay at the beginning of the season, rather than dividing payments into thirds, unless arrangements are made with the village in advance. The primary reason for the change, Germain said, was to eliminate additional bookkeeping.

A problem in the past has been residents wanting to opt out of the agreement without contacting the village in writing, said Trustee Virginia Dwyer.

“I know they have the legal right to opt out,” she said, “but we need a signed piece of paper saying that ‘I’ve opted out of this service.'”

The problem apparently stems from a misunderstanding. In the past, some residents have believed that it was their option to pay for the service.

“We’ve had problems with that,” Dwyer said. “People will say ‘I didn’t pay my bill because I wanted to opt out.'”

The option has caused confusion and added expense to the village.

For those wanting to opt out of the contract, Dwyer said, it is not enough for people to contact the village and say they want to opt out. They need to sign a waver, so that street addresses can be placed on a list for the Street Department, so it is known which sections of sidewalks to clear, and which ones to bypass.

Village Administrator Joe Snow said there are different contracts. Those include a commercial contract, under which people pile their own snow and the village removes it, then there is the contract for removal of snow from sidewalks. That one, Dwyer said, is the contract that charges $5 per linear foot for snow removal.

“That’s the one you’re allowed to opt out of if you want to, by law,” Dwyer said.