BUCKSPORT, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- It hasn't been easy to keep city and town sidewalks clear this winter, especially this month. There's an incentive in the town of Bucksport for businesses to do their part along Main Street.
Businesses that do a good job clearing snow in front of their building get rewarded at the end of Winter. Valerie Sulya has been monitoring sidewalks there since 2006 as the towns Unofficial Sidewalk Superintendent.
Sulya walks up the north and south side of Main Street recording how easy, or difficult it is for pedestrians to walk after each snow storm.
"The town is supposed to keep the sidewalks clear and they do, but just from observing today you can see what happens when the snow is in the snow bank, or it comes off the roof," said Sulya.
Her role is overseen by the Bucksport Bay Healthy Community Coalition senior resource committee. It's been extremely effective according to BookStacks owner, Andy Lacher. He's won the golden shovel award four times.
"The ladies got together and said lets make this shovel award and I mean it, it worked," said Lacher. "People who never shoveled were shoveling because I get to walk it, so I get to see too."
After celebrating her 80th birthday last June, some might have expected Sulya to slow down, but no. Her passion for keeping sidewalks clear is as fiery as it's ever been. Take a walk down Main Street and you'll appreciate her efforts for yourself. This year's golden shovel winner will be announced by Sulya once it seems that no more snow storms are expected.