Sparwood Council has approved a windrow removal pilot program in time for the 2013/2014 winter season.
“The snow and windrow removal policy has been in review for about a year,” said Sparwood Mayor Lois Halko during the Council meeting on October 21. “I’m glad it’s at a point where we can make a decision (on the pilot program) and that we can welcome snow like everyone else in Fernie. When they see the snow, they are clapping their hands and they’re jumping. (The program) will enable us to cope with our snow.”
Months of lengthy discussions, some heated enough to melt a portion of the pesky windrows, have resulted in general guidelines for this winter’s program. The intent of the windrow removal service is to knock down the windrow and allow for vehicle passage; the program is not intended to provide full clearing and cleaning of the entire width of a driveway, from edge to edge.
Windrow removal service will be provided only when the windrow is an accumulated height of six inches or more. Windrow removal service will not be provided to residents who push snow from their driveways into the windrow for removal by the District. It is an offence to push, place or throw any snow or ice upon a highway or lane.
“After the pilot is finished, we can fine tune the process as we’ll have more information,” said Barbara Nunes, Director of Finances.
Council also approved the purchase of two skid steer loaders (bobcats) and attachments from Cervus in Cranbrook for the amount of $113,913.00 excluding taxes.
The District asks Sparwood residents to park vehicle(s) in a driveway as soon as the snow begins to fall as empty streets enable snow plows to do a better job and ensures room for sanding equipment to cover more space.
On-street parking is prohibited from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm October 1 to March 31 as the District’s snowplows cannot deliver their best service when vehicles are parked on highways, roadways or lanes.
“Given the monitoring of our Public Works Department this year,” said Halko, “I encourage the public to give them a wave in recognizing the excellent work they’ve done to this point and recognizing the continued excellence of work that the Director of Public Operations Mel Bohmer has tried to implement in this program.”
Residents should note that parking on the street during snow plowing, snow removal, snow hauling, or sanding operations is prohibited. No advance warning is required under the bylaw and the Motor Vehicle Act; offending vehicles will be towed.