Snow Removal

SNOW REMOVAL POLICY - For a Printable Version of the Policy Click Here

The Mayor and Council identified the objectives of the policy as follows: 

  1. To facilitate emergency response services by Police, Fire and Ambulance during the Winter Operations Season
  2. To reduce the hazards of icy conditions for motorists and pedestrians
  3. To minimize the economic losses to the community and industry resulting from unsatisfactory winter driving conditions

Scheduling   

  1.  In order to meet the objectives of this policy, snow clearing, snow removal and/or ice control may be required outside of normal operating hours. 
  2. When the Manager of Public Works deems a snow event to be emergent, employee schedules may need to be adjusted and/or be required to work outside of normal operating hours, including weekends and statutory holidays.
  3. During the winter operations season, the weather forecast for the next 24 hours will be monitored prior to the end of each shift. If there is a 50% or greater probability of 6 centimetres of snow accumulation forecasted for the Town, as predicted by Environment Canada, the Manager of Public Works will schedule snow clearing to commence no later than 5:30am and no earlier than 4:30am the following morning. 

Streets  

  1. Street snow clearing will be conducted on a priority basis, as identified in Schedule "A" within the Town starting with streets identified as the highest priority (i.e. Priority 1). Snow clearing will then progress sequentially through to the lowest priority streets (i.e. Priority 4). 
  2. When snowfall is continuous, or follows closely after a preceding snowfall, street snowfall response may restart at Priority 1, at the discretion of the Manager of Public Works. 
  3. The removal of windrows in front of driveways left by Town snow clearing and removal equipment shall be the responsibility of the property owner or affected individual, company or corporation.

Sidewalks

  1. Sidewalk clearing will be conducted on a priority basis as identified in Schedule "B", starting with sidewalks in Priority 1 areas. Snow clearing will then progress to Priority 2 areas. 
  2. Public sidewalks not identified in Schedule "B" will only be cleared as time permits after other priorities are completed. As such, the Town encourages property owners to clear sidewalk snow in these areas. Any person(s) clearing snow from such a sidewalk is permitted to place the snow in the gutter only, provided that the snow clearing or removal equipment has not already cleared snow from the applicable street.  

Airport & Parking Lots

  1. Airport snow clearing and removal will by conducted by Airport staff and contractors, with the assistance of Public Works staff (if available).
  2. Parking lot snow clearing and removal at the Fire Hall will be conducted by Public Works in conjunction with nearby Priority 1 snow response activities. 
  3. Parking lot snow clearing and removal at the Recreation Centre and Town Office will be conducted using staff and contractors, with the assistance of Public Works staff (if available).

Snow Storage

  1. The Town has established public snow storage locations, which are indicated in Schedule "A".
  2. Public snow storage locations shall be monitored by Public Works to assess accessibility and capacity. Unless closed for maintenance or capacity issues, the general public shall be permitted to dump snow at these public snow storage locations. 

Unusual and Severe Conditions

  1. Snow clearing and removal will cease at temperatures lower than -33C.
  2. Snow responses may be suspended, at the discretion of the Manager of Public Works, during severe snow and wind storms where visibility is reduced to an unsafe level or snow response efforts are ineffective.

Parked Vehicles

  1. The presence of parked vehicles along the sidewalk or edge of streets is an impediment to efficient and effective snow clearing and removal activities.
  2. During the winter operations season, vehicles should avoid extended or overnight parking along Priority 1 street routes as snow clearing and removal may commence on these routes without advance notice. 
  3. Vehicles may not remain parked in a location for a continuous period of 48 hours. Any such vehicles may be ticketed and towed at the expense of the owner of the vehicle, without advance warning. 
  4. During the winter operations season, Town staff may place temporary no parking signs or notices to facilitate street snow response of Priority 2, 3 and 4 areas. Such signs or notices shall be placed a minimum of 12 hours in advance of snow clearing and removal activities occuring in the area. Vehicles that remain parked along the street in contravention to such a sign or notice may be ticketed or towed at the expense of the owner of the vehicle, in accordance with the provisions of the Traffic Bylaw. 
  5. If a vehicle is parked along the street during a snow response and has not been towed, the owner of the vehicle is responsible for digging their vehicle out when surrounded by a windrow. 

General Public Assistance

  1. All public questions or calls reporting slippery streets and sidewalks are to be directed to the Town Office at 306-425-2066.
  2. under no circumstance will a Town employee be allowed to use Town owned vehicles or equipment to push, pull, boost or tow a private vehicle. 

Property Damage

  1. During the winter operations season, a certain amount of damage to Town and private property may be incurred by Town snow clearing and removal activities. Upon receiving notice of property damage, the Manager of Public Works will investigate at its earliest availability to determine whether the damage was caused by Town equipment. 
  2. If lawn damage occurs due to snow clearing and removal activities, it will be repaired by the Public Works department at the earliest availability of material (usually May). 

Schedule "A"  Street Removal Priority



Schedule "B"  Sidewalk- Snow Removal Priority