Winter Maintenance

Once more than 5cm of snow has accumulated on the roads, the Town uses a priority system to plow the roads, beginning with primary (arterial) roads followed by secondary (residential) streets.

This priority response is based on regulatory requirements. When possible combination plow trucks are sent out just prior to a snow event or when the snow starts to fall, to treat hills, intersections and sharp curves, also beginning with arterial roads.

The Town of Pelham follows the provincially prescribed standards for winter maintenance (Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways, O. Reg. 239/02).

Arterial and some collector roads with higher volume of traffic take first priority, while local streets and cul-de-sacs with lower traffic volumes are plowed after the priority roads are completed.

The Town endeavors to have all roads plowed within 16 hours after the snow accumulation has reached 8cm, and within 24 hours for all sidewalks.

Extreme conditions or unique situations may delay these response times.

The town monitors the plow routes via an internal mapping system, so please be assured that plowing will take place as soon as possible.

If you are concerned that your area has been missed (after 16 hours has passed since the storm has ended), please contact the Public Works Department at 905-892-2607 ext 332.

Town crew’s priority is to clear the travelled portion of the road. The only place to move the snow is onto the boulevard, which includes driveways. As a result, snow left at the bottom of driveways is unavoidable.

Owners and/or occupants of residential and business properties are responsible for keeping driveways clear of snow down to the street. Because sidewalk and street plowing operations push snow from the road or sidewalk to the boulevard,this does fill in driveways.

Unfortunately, the Town does not have the resources to come back to remove snow left by its plows at the end of driveways or adjacent to sidewalks

Since cul-de-sacs are secondary roads, they will be cleared later than high-traffic roads. Also, due to the small turning radius afforded by most cul-de-sacs, the large trucks cannot plow the circular part of the street as effectively as other roads.

In many areas, a separate plowing machine is sent later to clean up these areas. Snow that is piled up in the centre of the cul-de-sacs will be removed when it becomes a hazard to drivers and/or the public.

Most problem areas on streets are the result of parked cars blocking the snow plows or residents dumping snow from their driveways back onto the public roadway. For adequate snow clearing operations, the streets must be clear of parked cars.

Residents are prohibited from parking vehicles on the street, either during or following a snowstorm, and are prohibited from dumping snow on the street.

Depositing snow on the public roadway is an offence under the Highway Traffic Act.

Parking on the street during Winter Maintenance Operations is prohibited under by-law and subject to fine. 

Who provides sidewalk clearing?

The Town provides a sidewalk snow removal service using a local contractor. Sidewalks are cleared to a snow packed condition but the equipment does not allow for clearing down to bare pavement.

When the amount of snow is so great that plowing is no longer effective, blower attachments may be used, however this does not increase the amount of time it takes to clear the sidewalks. 

Property owners are encouraged to apply snow and ice melt to sidewalks when they become icy. The Town's contracted service provided is not able to apply ice melt to all municipal sidewalks.

 Why have the sidewalks not been plowed yet?

The plow operator may have difficulty finding the sidewalk or the edge of the road under a blanket of snow. Once a path is cleared, subsequent trips by the sidewalk plow are made easier.

If the sod was damaged during the early part of the season, then the damage may not be discovered until the snow melts.

Many homeowners will repair the damage in front of their property before the Town crews arrive. This is a tremendous help because Town staff typically does not tend to sod damage until late May when the ground is warm enough to allow for repairs.

Town staff will topsoil and seed areas where the plow has caused damage, however, it is the homeowner's responsibility to care for the area, once it has been seeded.

If your property is damaged by the sidewalk plow please contact the administrative assistant, public works, at 905-892-2607 x332 Damage to lawns and boulevards will be repaired in the spring.