Winter operations - what you need to know
With the first snowfall of the season earlier this week, the Town of Pelham reminds residents to be conscious of parking on the street during the winter months.
Employing a systematic approach to keeping streets, sidewalks, and municipal property maintained throughout the winter season, the Town relies on the cooperation of residents, especially when it comes to parking on the streets.
“We ask that citizens not park their cars on the roads during or after winter storms to allow staff to clear the street effectively,” said Ryan Cook, manager of public works. “Parked cars can lead to incomplete street clearing or delays in clearing streets nearby.”
Town staff follow a Winter Operations Policy, and its corresponding Winter Operations and Salt Management Plans. These plans prescribe a response to winter conditions based on snow accumulation and ice formation as well as the requirements for weather monitoring, road patrolling, and the protection of the environment related to the use of road salts and abrasives.
“In accordance to the Winter Operations Plan, our response to winter weather is prioritized based on road classification, where the roads with the highest volume of traffic are maintained throughout a storm while some residential roads may wait until the snow stops or slows before they are cleared,” said Cook. “Although this can create an inconvenience to some it ensures that the greatest number of drivers who must travel during a storm are able to navigate through town.”
| Snowfall | 2.5 cm | 5 cm | 5 cm+ | Post storm | Post storm clear |
| Forecasting | Storm Begins | Facility parking lots & sidewalks | Plowing operations | Sidewalks and cul de sacs | Post storm patrols |
|
Staff monitors multiple weather sources for a consistent forecast and plans operations.
|
Staff begins salting & sanding operations of arterial & collector roads, sharp corners & steep hills
|
Staff clears snow in front of all municipally owned and operated facilities.
|
Staff starts plowing operations of roads in priority sequence:
|
Staff begins:
|
Staff debriefs and tends to any service concerns, if necessary
|
Along with mindful parking, there are other ways to help keep walkways and roadways safe throughout the winter season.
- 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 sidewalks around your property as soon as you can after a snowfall applying 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.
The Town provides a sidewalk snow removal service using a local contractor. Sidewalks are cleared to a snow packed condition but the equipment does not all for clearing down to bare pavement. When the amount of snow is so great that plowing is no longer effective, blower attachments may be used, however this does not increase the amount of time it takes to clear the sidewalks.
Property owners are encouraged to apply snow and ice melt to sidewalks then they become icy. The Town's contracted service provided is not able to apply ice melt to all municipal sidewalks.