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Town update on storm cleanup

UPDate: This is the town's latest information, from Wednesday: | #NOTL crews are still hard at work keeping streets clear and safe for travel. The rest of the week will consist of maintenance and sidewalk cleanup.

UPDate: This is the town's latest information, from Wednesday: | #NOTL crews are still hard at work keeping streets clear and safe for travel. The rest of the week will consist of maintenance and sidewalk cleanup. The snow is heavy and piled high; therefore, these ongoing cleanup efforts will likely take several days. A few reminders: ⚠️ Ensure children do not build snow forts along the roadside or play in the windrows. ❎ The Town does not clear snow left by plows at the end of the driveways.🚗 Do not leave vehicles parked on the road—this affects snowplow operations. 🔥 Keep fire hydrants, storm drains, and vents clear of snow. ♻️ Garbage collection continues with a one-day delay.💛 Be kind. This is a lot of snow! Our crews are working around the clock to respond.

With more than 50 centimetres of snow dumped on Niagara Sunday night and during the day Monday, town staff were still out plowing streets Tuesday, and cleanup was expected to continue throughout the week.

Town CAO Marnie Cluckie and operations staff Sheldon Randall provided an update Monday evening, with the key message for residents being to have patience.

Sean Simpson of Simpson's Pharmacy, heading out to work from his McFarland Gate home Monday morning, as photographed by his neighbour, Josh Wiwcharyk.

“Wow, what a kickoff to 2022,” said Cluckie, explaining town crews were quick to respond as the snow fall began, first clearing emergency vehicle routes before moving to main and secondary roads.

Randall said Monday’s goal was for snowplows to have made at least one pass on every road, with most main roads completed and secondary roads done by early Tuesday morning.

Plowing efforts paused at 9 p.m. Monday night, and crews resumed their efforts Tuesday   morning at 5 a.m. The town has six plows, one grader, two  sanding units, three backhoes, and three sidewalk plows, with 10  operators for these units. All roads had been cleared once by Tuesday, but for some, only one lane.

With lots of talk on social media about piles of snow at the end of driveways, Randall suggested if residents can’t manage clearing snow themselves, to reach out to contractors for help. 

The town at one time did have a list of volunteers to help seniors and others who couldn’t manage themselves, but it’s been difficult to get volunteers, Randall said, suggesting anyone who is interested in helping to call the town.

If it’s a medical emergency, he said, phone 911.

“The response efforts can take several days,” Cluckie said of the cleanup. “We anticipate it will be a multi-day effort.”

Town is asking residents not to park on the street, to allow for snow removal.

The town is also asking residents not to skate on the Virgil ponds. It’s become a popular spot, as evidenced by the many photos on social media, and while it looks like fun, and “it’s been going on forever,” Randall reminded residents it’s not safe.

The water level changes, he says, making it dangerous. “It’s not a good idea to skate on ponds at all where there is water coming in and moving through.”

Regional garbage pick-up was cancelled Monday, and was expected to be a day late, with Friday’s pickup expected to occur Saturday. However on Wednesday, trucks were still trying to catch up with Monday's pickups.

Also during Monday's update, Lord Mayor Betty Disero took the opportunity during the committee meeting to thank all the front-line workers, including the fire department, doctors, nurses and paramedics.  “We’ve been thanking them for two years now,” she said, and it’s important to remember to keep thanking them. “Put a sign in your window thanking them,” or say thank you if you have a chance. “Words of encouragement really help.”

Donald Combe wasn't going anywhere in his smart car Monday.



About the Author: Penny Coles

Penny Coles is editor of Niagara-on-the-Lake Local
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