This morning, the Oshawa Airport Manager reported there were a few hours Monday that the snow was accumulating at a rate of about 3 inches every 30 minutes.
With Oshawa receiving over 2 feet of snow in 48 hours yesterday afternoon City staff wrote that snow removal on Arterial and Collector roads was complete and residential streets were half way completed and should all be completed sometime this morning.
Although there have been some staffing issues related to the pandemic, the department head wrote they are managing the snow clearing program on a priority basis and ask for everyone's patience.
Given the amount of snow, the trackless sidewalk machines needed to be retrofitted with blower attachments, and clearing the bridge and regional road sidewalks will be first.
The seniors sidewalk clearing program begins today.
Once all residential roads are plowed, staff will address clearing corner sightlines.
A lot of the complaints I received (some with pictures, see below) were about the huge windrows at the end of driveways left by the ploughs. People asked 'can't this be done different. I spoke with the Director of Operations and he explained some of the process and complications but also said he was receptive to any new ideas/suggestions.
Seeing that the Cities of Vaughan and Richmond Hill both have programs to remove windrows from residential driveways City-wide, it would be interesting to know whether Oshawans want something similar.
Along with a couple other motions I asked the Clerk to add to the Monday January 24, 2022 Council Agenda, I submitted one about windrow clearing... (Notice of Motion posted below)
See details about Oshawa's Snow Clearing Assistance Program below, and the status of the City's Snow Clearing as of 6:07 today - Note that Residents who are Seniors or with Disabilities can apply for the sidewalk and windrow clearing program any time online. Service Oshawa receives the application and ensures that they meet the requirements of the program. It may take up to two weeks for the request to be received and processed so applicants are advised to make alternative arrangements during that time.
With Oshawa receiving over 2 feet of snow in 48 hours yesterday afternoon City staff wrote that snow removal on Arterial and Collector roads was complete and residential streets were half way completed and should all be completed sometime this morning.
Although there have been some staffing issues related to the pandemic, the department head wrote they are managing the snow clearing program on a priority basis and ask for everyone's patience.
Given the amount of snow, the trackless sidewalk machines needed to be retrofitted with blower attachments, and clearing the bridge and regional road sidewalks will be first.
The seniors sidewalk clearing program begins today.
Once all residential roads are plowed, staff will address clearing corner sightlines.
A lot of the complaints I received (some with pictures, see below) were about the huge windrows at the end of driveways left by the ploughs. People asked 'can't this be done different. I spoke with the Director of Operations and he explained some of the process and complications but also said he was receptive to any new ideas/suggestions.
Seeing that the Cities of Vaughan and Richmond Hill both have programs to remove windrows from residential driveways City-wide, it would be interesting to know whether Oshawans want something similar.
Along with a couple other motions I asked the Clerk to add to the Monday January 24, 2022 Council Agenda, I submitted one about windrow clearing... (Notice of Motion posted below)
See details about Oshawa's Snow Clearing Assistance Program below, and the status of the City's Snow Clearing as of 6:07 today - Note that Residents who are Seniors or with Disabilities can apply for the sidewalk and windrow clearing program any time online. Service Oshawa receives the application and ensures that they meet the requirements of the program. It may take up to two weeks for the request to be received and processed so applicants are advised to make alternative arrangements during that time.
NOTICE OF MOTION SUBMITTED TO BE ADDED TO JANUARY 24, 2022 COUNCIL ADGENDA to gauge Oshawa residents' interest in a Windrow Clearing program like Cities of Richmond Hill and Vaughan have:
Whereas the City frequently receives complaints from residents about windrows caused by the snow ploughs, especially on elbow streets, corner lots, courts and cul-de-sacs;
Whereas improvements may be found with staff reviewing the City’s snow removal process to consider snow clearing efficiencies and ways to minimize the windrows caused by snow ploughs at the end of residential driveways; and
Whereas other GTA municipalities, such as Richmond Hill and Vaughan have windrow clearing programs not exclusive to seniors, but for windrows on all residential driveways on local roads city-wide;
Therefore staff investigate a city-wide in-house Oshawa windrow clearing program for residential driveways on local roads, and prepare a report that includes
1) results of a public survey that gauges Oshawa residents’ level of interest in a city-wide windrow clearing program on local streets; and
2) gives consideration to a phased in approach for possible implementation starting with City courts, elbow streets and cul-de-sacs windrows.
Whereas the City frequently receives complaints from residents about windrows caused by the snow ploughs, especially on elbow streets, corner lots, courts and cul-de-sacs;
Whereas improvements may be found with staff reviewing the City’s snow removal process to consider snow clearing efficiencies and ways to minimize the windrows caused by snow ploughs at the end of residential driveways; and
Whereas other GTA municipalities, such as Richmond Hill and Vaughan have windrow clearing programs not exclusive to seniors, but for windrows on all residential driveways on local roads city-wide;
Therefore staff investigate a city-wide in-house Oshawa windrow clearing program for residential driveways on local roads, and prepare a report that includes
1) results of a public survey that gauges Oshawa residents’ level of interest in a city-wide windrow clearing program on local streets; and
2) gives consideration to a phased in approach for possible implementation starting with City courts, elbow streets and cul-de-sacs windrows.