On November 6, Niverville’s town council will give third and final reading to a new bylaw designed to make snow removal in the community more efficient and cost-effective. If council votes in favour, the bylaw will come into effect on that date.
The new policy will affect 14 main arteries in town which have been designated as snow routes. During periods of heavy snowfall where snow removal is required by the town’s equipment, these streets will be expected to be cleared of parked vehicles until the snow ban is lifted.
“The town is reaching a size where it is a challenge to complete snow clearing in a manner that meets the needs of residents,” says Chief Administrative Officer Eric King. “In order to improve the efficiency of our operations department, the policy will reduce the need to return and clean up when a car moves. In the end, the town hopes the policy will reduce snow-clearing costs to residents and save the need to incur additional costs [of] either staffing or equipment.”
King says that the operations department will begin snow-clearing immediately following a heavy snowfall, beginning as early as 5:00 a.m. On the first day, they will simply clear around any parked vehicles on these streets without penalty. The town will also immediately issue a parking ban notification using a variety of mediums such as social media forums, the town’s website, as well as signage around the community.
On the second day, and any subsequent days, the parking ban will be effective from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. until the streets are cleared and the ban has been lifted. Parking will be allowed during the evenings and night-time hours without penalty.
“The ban may continue for multiple days, dependent on the conditions and ability to clear the streets,” says King. “If a street has been completed and cleared [down to the] pavement, parking will be allowed. The ban will be lifted by the town and [notification will once again be] sent out on social media and our website.”
To enforce the parking ban, the town’s bylaw enforcement officer will be called in to monitor the snow route during the parking ban period. Any vehicles parked on a designated snow route will be ticketed and towed to a Niverville compound. Owners will be required to pay the fine and tow bill before their vehicle will be released.
“The ticket revenue goes into the town’s general revenue and, depending upon the dollar value collected, would help reduce the cost of having bylaw enforcement in town,” King says. “In a perfect world, we hope all residents follow the ban correctly and that there is no money to be made.”
The town has created a map which clearly indicates all streets on the snow route. Residents will find this map in their mailboxes before the parking ban goes into effect.
