Public Works

The Town’s operations on the public roads and sidewalks take precedence over all private snow operations as it is the Town’s crews who have the responsibility of ensuring emergency response (fire and ambulance services) and accessibility to all residents in the Town.

During and after a snowstorm, our snow clearing crews are out in full force clearing all Town streets and eventually they will reach your street. As this is their first priority, calling Public Works during a snowfall or immediately after a storm to find out why your street has not yet been cleared will not result in faster snow clearing service on your street.

Please understand, and this is especially true for storms that have had a particularly strong wind component, that it may take up to 24 hours after the end of a storm to clear and treat both the roads and sidewalks. Exceptionally heavy snowfalls of over 25 cm (10 inches) or back-to-back storms can extend this cleanup period to up to 48 hours after the end of a storm before snow removal is even started.

The City is not responsible for damage to plants, driveway curbs, fences or other items that have been placed within the city’s setback. This setback distance varies from street to street but can be approximately sighted along either fire hydrants or your home front lawn water line valve. You can also get the setback for your street by calling or emailing Public Works.

Damage to Town owned trees, sod and pavement will be repaired in the spring. Contact Public Works to report damage as soon as it is visible and it will be evaluated on site in the spring.

In total, the Town clears over 19 kilometres of roads and 38 kilometres of sidewalks.

There are a number of things that all residents are asked to do:

• Ensure that you are prepared if you know that there is a major snowfall forecasted.
• Remove parked cars from the street prior to and during snow plowing or clearing operations even if you have a driveway contractor. If you have a driveway contractor and you can, we ask that you put your car in your garage.
• Your contractor will come by again after the snowfall ends. Owners of vehicles not removed from Town streets during snow plowing operations risk receiving a parking fine and/or having their car towed. Please remember, Town snow clearing crews are ensuring access for emergency response teams and they have priority by law over all other snow operations.
• Help others, especially seniors and disabled persons, to clear their driveways and walkways. Also, assistance with shopping may be appreciated since many elderly or disabled persons find it treacherous to walk to the store or bus stop because of snow and ice.
• Do not place snow on the roadways and please take the time to advise your driveway snow contractor to do the same. Especially important is to not place any snow as to bury any fire hydrants. Hydrants are essential Civil Security infrastructure and must be accessible at all times.
• Burying a fire hydrant or placing snow in the street or on a neighbour’s property could lead to a fine under the Town’s snow by-law which prohibits the placement of snow from private property onto the public right-of-way. Instead, place it on your property.
• Keep children safe – don’t let them play in the snow along the side of the road or anywhere where a snow plow is likely to operate.

With the Town’s current comprehensive snow plan, the possibility of a street being missed is quite unlikely. What is more likely is that there has been a machine breakdown that has put a sector behind schedule and that we are in the process of catching up.