Winter Operations 2020

As the Town of Pelham’s public works department prepares for the upcoming winter season, there are things residents should expect and keep in mind when the snow starts falling.

When snow accumulates, snow plowing operations commence. Pelham is divided into “routes.” Each route is assigned one piece of equipment, made up of priority roads plowed and treated first.

The Town is proactive and environmentally responsible for dispensing winter sand/salt to treat winter road conditions. Equipment is dispatched at the onset of a winter storm or when staff becomes aware of imminent icy road conditions to apply either salt or sand/salt depending on road classification and other environmental conditions. 

Typically, a sand/salt mixture is used on collector, rural, and residential roads, and at intersections, steep hills, and curves; the combination is 5:1 sand to salt, straight salt is used on primary roads only.

Responsible for approximately 572 km of roadway, 64 km of sidewalk, and 2.1 km of paved walking trails, the Town is also responsible for snow removal from three commercial areas. With areas to reach, near and far, the Town uses a priority system to plow the roads, based on regulatory requirements.

Throughout the winter, the Town of Pelham provides sidewalk snow clearing services utilizing a local contractor. Sidewalk clearing commences once a snowstorm has passed, and snow accumulation is 5 cm or more. The contractor makes every effort to clear sidewalks within 24 hours following the end of the snowfall event. Heavy snowfalls and successive storm events can sometimes extend this period. All sidewalks are maintained in a snow-packed surface condition as the equipment does not allow for clearing down to the bare surface. Sidewalks in unassumed subdivision developments are not cleared.

Residents are reminded that parking on any street in the Town of Pelham during the winter season is not permitted at any time during plowing, sanding, or salting operations. Parking on the street in any way to interfere with a winter maintenance operation will result in a parking ticket.

If you have concerns about the quality of winter control operations after the prescribed service level has passed, please contact the Public Works Department at (905) 892-2607 ext. 332, or use the Town of Pelham Public Service Request system found on the website: www.pelham.ca/psr.

During a winter storm event, crews work around the clock to complete operations within prescribed service levels. Kindly help them out by remembering:

• Don't park on streets from November 1, until March 31, especially when snow clearing operations are underway.
• Pile snow from your driveway and walkways onto your property - not on the road.
• Don't push snow into the travelled portion of the roadway.
• Clear the sidewalk in front and beside your property as soon as you can after a snowfall and apply sand or salt when icy.
• Keep children safe by preventing them from playing or building snow forts in the snow banks at the side of road.
• Keep fire hydrants clear and accessible.
• Help prevent street flooding and icing by clearing snow away from storm sewer catch basins near your property.
• On garbage day, place garbage and recycling containers on your driveway near the edge of the road. Don't place your garbage or recycle boxes on top of snow banks.
• If you need to drive during a winter storm plan your route accordingly. Roads with steep hills may be difficult to navigate during snow events.