Now that November is here, it means that the first big snowfall likely isn’t too far away.
It also means the City of Estevan will be approving its snow removal policy for 2017-18, possibly as soon as the next meeting on Nov. 6.
Each year, there will be a few minor tweaks made to the document, which governs how the city will handle snow removal for the winter. You’ll see a couple of changes for the priority status of the roads. (The staff at the Mercury would like to see Souris Avenue from Seventh Street to King Street moved to Priority 1 from Priority 2, since it’s a key access road for leisure facilities in the community).
And the city might relocate a couple of snow dump sites.
But we hope the city won’t make any big changes to its snow removal procedures.
Last winter was a feast or famine winter for Estevan. The first legitimate snow storm came in late November and the last one was in early March. There was snow on the ground for less than four months. By winter standards in southeast Saskatchewan, it was actually pretty short.
But there were five pretty serious storms that hammered the Energy City last winter, forcing the snow removal budget to soar.
Prior to the first snowstorm, the city had spent $50,000 on snow removal in 2016. By the end of the year, the city was well over budget for snow removal.
And with two large storms early in 2017, snow removal costs will likely be high again this year.
Most people will understand if snow removal is over budget, as long as the expenses are reasonable and the service is excellent. If the city is windrowing the snow after just an inch of accumulations, that’s when there’s a problem.
It’s more acceptable to have a high level of snow removal service run over budget, than a substandard service that is implemented for cost-cutting purposes.
A look back at the front page, and the letters to the editor section, of the Mercury in 2002 and 2003, will show you what happens when the city delivers a level of snow removal that people aren’t happy with.
And while we are certainly happy when letters to the editor are emailed to us, we also like having high-end snow removal.
It’s why the city shouldn’t change a thing with its procedures when it comes to snow removal. Keep delivering an excellent service. Do what they can to keep the streets unplugged during a major storm, and then when it’s safe, start windrowing and clearing the snow from the streets. If necessary, clear the snow from Priority 3 roads as well.
After all, there are people who drive small cars. There are those who don’t drive a pickup truck or a sports utility vehicle. Those with small cars who reside on those quiet residential roads have to be able to drive so they can get to work, the grocery store and other businesses. They have to be able to access essential services.
We want the snow removal to be as good as it can be. Hopefully the citizens of Estevan will want it to be at the same level as last year, too.
