BOWDEN - Town councillors in Bowden have passed a snow clearing policy.
The policy, discussed during council's Jan. 14 meeting, became effective as of that date.
Acting chief administrative officer Jacqui Molyneux said the matter came up because of some comments expressed on Facebook.
"We Just thought it would be good to have a policy that we could put on our website and anywhere else so that they know what's happening with snow removal and maybe it'll help stop some of this," she told councillors.
"Our policy should prohibit snow and that sort of stuff," Coun. Paul Webb joked, sparking loud laughter.
In broad terms, the policy says in the wake of any major snowstorm or accumulation of snow, the town's chief administrative officer will decide how the town will deal with the problem.
Snow clearing priorities are primarily based on traffic volumes on various roadways in the community, but access to certain key buildings is also a factor.
Thus, top snow plowing priorities include providing access to schools, the fire hall, the post office, town facilities, the rest stop, Igloo Ice Arena and access to Highway 2 from 20th Avenue.
By and large, the policy does not apply to commercial properties and parking lots because they tend to be privately owned.
It also does not apply to various roadways that are the responsibility of Alberta Transportation like Highway 2A, including the 20th Avenue and 27th Avenue intersections; as well as the intersection of 22nd Street/27th Avenue and Highway 587 as well as southbound access to Highway 2 from Highway 587.
Coun. Wayne Milaney suggested snow clearing may have to take place on weekends.
"If we have a blizzard on Thursday and it ends Friday night and we have a contractor doing our snow removal, should we be starting early Saturday morning and working Saturday/Sunday to clear our streets?," he asked.
"(That) probably would be a good idea because it would be easy to get into the school then. We do have one of our public works (employees) who does run the grader so he usually has to go a day in front of the snow blower," Molyneux said.
"So something like that, I mean, if it is a substantial amount of snow, I think it would be feasible to call them."
Milaney also stressed the need to clear roadways in front of seniors' facilities.
"We've got to get ambulances to the senior's homes. I think that's our responsibility," he said.
Molyneux agreed.
"That's always a high priority," she said.
In order to enable snow clearing, residents must move their vehicles from streets and avenues when required, according to the town's traffic bylaw. Signs will be erected notifying residents when those roadways are about to be cleared.
Molyneux said sometimes residents aren't so quick to remove their vehicles but she said over time that seems to be less of an issue.
"Why wouldn't you want to get your street cleaned? It's a no-brainer," Milaney said.
For more details or clarification regarding the policy, residents should contact the Town of Bowden.
