The Township of South Stormont works hard to ensure that its vast road network is cleared of snow as quickly, safely and efficiently as possible. In an effort to answer some common questions concerning snow-clearing activities, the Township has compiled this FAQ to address specific areas of concern.
If you have more specific questions that are not answered below, drop us a line at info@southstormont.ca or give us a call at 613-534-8889.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Winter Maintenance
| Who is responsible for the winter maintenance on my road? |
|
There are three classifications of roads within the Township of South Stormont: Provincial, County, and Township roads. Each road network has a different level of service.
|
|
What happens when it starts to snow? |
The Township monitors the weather, patrols Township roadways and sidewalks, and determines if winter maintenance is required based off of O.Reg. 239/02: Minimum Maintenance Standards For Municipal Highways. Once snow begins and accumulation reaches five centimetres or the roads become icy, winter maintenance equipment is dispatched.
|
| What happens during the winter event? |
The Township’s road network is divided by 6 predefined plow routes, each taking approximately 6 hours to complete. A map identifying each plow route can be found here
|
| Why do I see plows driving with their plow and wing up? |
|
To optimize plowing efficiency, plows are dispatched to their assigned routes from the Township garage. If the Township plow is travelling with its plow and wing up, it is either out of service or heading to its assigned route. The Township and private contractors use SDG County roadways to reach their assigned route. |
|
Why does the snow that the plow pushes, end up in my driveway? |
|
By law, snow must be removed from the travelled portion of the road. Plows are designed with a fixed blade and wing that always pushes the snow towards the Township ditch. The Township’s entrance bylaw permits property owners to install entrances onto the Township’s Right-of-Way, but stipulates that the Township will not maintain the driving surface. Therefore, the removal of the snow and ice from the entrance is the property owner’s responsibility. |
| Why do plows come back and push snow into my driveway after I have cleaned it? |
| Additional clearing of the shoulders improves sight lines and creates more snow storage space for the next winter event. |
|
What if I need to get out for a medical appointment or require emergency services? |
Plows do not deviate from regular routes - if they did, the snow removal operations would take twice as long and would leave some roads in a dangerous state.
|
|
Is it okay to push snow onto the roadway or across the road? |
|
No. Under the Highway Traffic Act, it is illegal to deposit snow or ice on a roadway. |
| Who cleans the sidewalks? |
|
The Township is responsible for the maintenance of all sidewalks and pedestrian crossings. The Township's Winter Maintenance Level of Service Policy describes the standards we follow to ensure public safety and to set a reasonable standard of service residents can expect from the Public Works Department in regard to road and sidewalk snow/ice clearing. By-law No. 2020-011 authorized the seasonal closure of specified sidewalks within the Township. The following sidewalks are maintained by the Township. All other sidewalks not listed are considered closed during the winter months. Newington
St. Andrews West
Long Sault
Ingleside
|
|
Who is responsible for cleaning around my mailbox? |
| Property owners are responsible for the removal of snow from around their mailbox. |
|
What happens if my mailbox is hit by the plow? |
|
Township policy states that mailboxes must be properly located and constructed to avoid being damaged during snow removal operations. If the mailbox is damaged due to the weight and force of the snow thrown from the plow, the Township cannot control these factors and bear no liability for such damage. If it is determined by Township staff that the mailbox was damaged because it has been physically struck by any part of the plow, the Township will repair or replace the mailbox with a standard metal mailbox and 4X4 post meeting Canada Post’s standards. |
|
What if my vehicle is damaged by the plow? |
|
|
Who cleans up the stones deposited in my yard over the winter? |
|
| Who repairs damaged lawns from winter maintenance operations? |
|
The Township strives to not damage sod while performing winter maintenance operations, however, due to factors such as little to no frost in the ground, some sod may get damaged. If your sod was damaged during winter road and/or sidewalk maintenance operations, you may report the situation to the Township at anytime. The Township will investigate these reports in early Spring, once the snow and ice has melted. Areas damaged on private property determined by the Township to have been damaged by Township vehicles will subsequently be scheduled for repair using topsoil and seed. |
|
Winter Parking Restrictions |
| By-law 2015-021 stipulates no person shall park a vehicle or permit a vehicle to remain parked on a highway between the hours of 12:00 a.m. of one day and 7:00 a.m. of the same day between November 1 of one year and April 1 of the following year. |
| How can residents and drivers help? |
|
Sidewalk Clearing
The Township's Winter Maintenance Level of Service Policy describes the standards we follow to ensure public safety and to set a reasonable standard of service residents can expect from the Public Works Department in regard to road and sidewalk snow/ice clearing. By-law No. 2020-011 authorized the seasonal closure of specified sidewalks within the Township.
By-law 2020-011: Seasonal Closure of Sidewalks
| The following sidewalks in the Township of South Stormont will be maintained. All other sidewalks not listed below will be considered closed during the winter months. |
|
Newington
St. Andrews West
Long Sault
Ingleside
|
Contact Us
Subscribe to this page
