READING — One eastern city has stopped ticketing residents who don’t shovel snow and ice from their sidewalks after acknowledging its own crews haven’t been able to properly clear snow from city properties either.

Public Works Director Ralph Johnson said freezing rain Tuesday created an icy coating on sidewalks that made them harder to clear as more snow was expected today.

The city owns more than 100 properties and has prioritized plowing streets during the recent bad weather.

Still, Johnson says officials are asking City Hall employees to volunteer for crews to clear sidewalks on city-owned properties, too.

The city requires residents to remove snow and ice from a path at least three feet wide on sidewalks and around fire hydrants.