Snow, snow and more snow!
It is true Rimbey residents have had more than their fair share of the white stuff already this year, even though winter has not yet officially arrived.
Public works foreman Rick Schmidt said public work crews are already starting on their third round of snow removal in the subdivisions which is unusual for this time of year.
“We are staying on top of it, but since the last snow fall it has been difficult. It’s been a crazy winter so far.”
In order to ensure snow removal is handled in an efficient and timely manner, a policy has been put in place to ensure the traveling public will be provided with safe roads, sidewalks and parking lots.
Under the terms of the policy, the priorities for snow plowing and removal have been categorized and are to be followed accordingly.
Roads where the hospital, schools, police station and emergency services are located will be given the first priority and are to be cleared as soon as possible after a snowfall.
Roads that fall into the second priority include those in front of businesses are to be cleared within 24 hours of a snowfall of 10 cm or greater.
Priority three roads (residents) are to be cleared within 96 hours following the end of a snowfall of 15 cm or greater.
The policy states a loop around town will be opened with the snow plough should a major snowstorm occur.
The snow removal policy states snow is to be plowed into windrows and placed on boulevards or medians.
Snow will be ploughed on one side only, keeping the other walkway clear.
Windrows blocking driveways or public lane entrances will be removed by the town as soon as possible. When laneways become impassable, rutted or drifted, snow will be flattened and pushed by a front-end loader.
Sidewalks on 54th Ave. south to 50th Ave. and from 49 to 52nd Street and south of the hotel and near the graveyard and the swimming pool will be cleared. The walking trail from Rimbey Ford to the ball diamonds will also be cleared.
However, it is the responsibility of the property owner to remove snow from sidewalks adjacent to their property and the town is only required to remove snow if it is deposited on the sidewalk by town snow removal crews.
Information about the town’s snow removal policy is available on the town’s website at www.rimbey.com.