Tamaqua Mayor Dave Clemson said drivers who park in front of fire hydrants will be fined.

Clemson told borough council Tuesday that he has been spotting offenders as he travels the borough with police Chief Michael Hobbs.

“People are parking in front of fire hydrants — I’m seeing that a lot around town,” he said. “We are ticketing them.”

Clemson said blocking access to a fire hydrant presents a “big time” safety issue.

Reports of people piling snow in front of hydrants were also heard during the recent meeting. They, too, will be fined.

Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt reminded residents to clear a 3-foot wide path free of snow and ice removal from sidewalks.

“Our code enforcement officers have been going around and randomly checking properties,” Steigerwalt said. “They have been issuing citations to people who don’t clear the sidewalks.”

Councilman Ron Bowman said that he often noticed snowy and icy sidewalks.

“All of a sudden this year, they’re being cleaned,” Bowman said. “It’s working, whatever they are doing.”

Steigerwalt said the borough doesn’t want to issue tickets.

“Sometimes that’s the only way to get people’s attention,” he said.

On one recent day, he said, code enforcement officers issued 37 citations.

“Again, we don’t want to do that but sometimes it’s the only way to get people to clear their sidewalks,” Steigerwalt said.

Fines are $25 for the first offense and higher for subsequent offenses.

Steigerwalt also asked residents to clear snow and ice from fire hydrants and storm drains.

“We’d appreciate that,” he said.

Ice, snow and slush should not be thrown in the street, he said.