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What number do I call if I have a concern?
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To report a snow related concern on residential roads and sidewalks in Shelburne, you can complete the online report a concern form or call the Utility Coordinator at the Town of Shelburne 519-925-2600 extension 261.
If your snow concern is related to Main Street and or Owen Sound Street (connecting link) please call 1-888-222-2640.
If this is after hours emergency, please call 519-942-1342. Public Works staff are available 24 hours a day.
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When does the Town plow?
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When snow accumulation is 2.5 cm - 6 cm or more.
Public Works will document the conditions of the road throughout town and will advise of the equipment to be dispatched to address the snow accumulation, ice formation, or icy roadway, on call Staff will be dispatched
Under the Minimum Maintenance Standards (Reg. 366/18), the Town has anywhere between 12 and 24 hours to clear roads that are classified under various categories, for example, primary roads are required to be plowed within a 12-hour period once there is 6 cm or more snow.
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Why do I hear crews working overnight?
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Winter Maintenance crews work around the clock to complete snow clearing and removal efforts to provide safe conditions for residents. Overnight winter maintenance allows for staff to clear and remove snow in a more efficient and safe manner due to minimal traffic and minimal residential, business and community uses of our roads, sidewalks and parking lots. These overnight crews are also able to address any areas that were not cleared during daytime hours
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Are all roads cleared at once?
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No.
We have set plow routes that are laid out to address streets in an efficient manner. All Public Work’s vehicles and equipment have GPS to ensure all areas are attended and not missed.
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How long does it usually take to clear the snow in Town?
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Most routes are completed within a 12-hour period. If there is a prolonged snowfall or freezing rain, heavy snowfall, cars parked on the road etc. clearance times can be delayed.
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Why do plows push snow onto my driveway?
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| Plow operators do not intentionally block driveways with windrows, they have limited control over the amount and direction of snow that comes off the plow. In order to effectively plow the roads, the plow needs to plow as close to the curb as possible. Doing so will help widen the road from curb to curb and keep catch basins open to prevent flooding |
| What is a windrow? |
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A snow windrow is the pile of snow that accumulates at the end of driveways when the road is plowed. The Town understands that windrows caused by road snow plowing can be frustrating for our residents. Unfortunately, to effectively plow the road, windrows cannot be avoided.
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When does the town salt and/or sand the roads?
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Trucks are dispatched at the start of a snowfall and at the first sign of roads beginning to ice. Treating a roadway means the application of material to the roadway, including but not limited to, salt, sand or any combination of salt and sand.
The Town uses a sand (provides traction and aids in cutting through the snow and ice) and salt mixture which is 92% sand and 8% salt for all streets and sidewalks. This mixture has less impact on the environment than using straight salt.
In extreme conditions straight salt can be used to cut through ice buildup, that has become an issue.
Over a winter season, sand may accumulate. In the spring the street and sidewalk sweeper will remove the excess material.
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I think the plows missed my street.
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Crews take extra care to ensure that no streets are missed. Occasionally streets can be missed. If this has occurred please complete the online report a concern form or call the Utility Coordinator at the Town of Shelburne 519-925-2600 extension 261. Snow crews will be notified, and arrangements will be made to have the street cleared.
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Snow bank removal and disposal
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The Town contracts a company to remove snow banks once they start blocking the view of the road. Snow removal is not based on the height of the snowbank but if the snow bank is blocking the view of the intersection, called sight lines.
Downtown business areas have priority for removing snowbanks and then crews will move onto the residential neighbourhoods.
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How do plows get around cars parked on the street?
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| Experience, skill and care are required to safely maneuver plow blades through traffic and around parked cars while ensuring streets are cleared. Snow removal is at its maximum when streets have little to no traffic and are cleared of parked cars. The majority of snow clearing is done during the evening and overnight. Parked cars on the street affect snow clearing procedures. Please remember that winter parking restrictions are in effect from November 15 to April 15. Any vehicle found on any roadway between midnight and 8 a.m. will be subject to a fine as this interferes with the clearing of snow. Plows will not be sent back to areas where cars were previously parked. |
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When can I expect my sidewalk to be cleared?
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Sidewalks are cleared after snow accumulation reaches 8 centimetres.
Please do no park over sidewalks, it is a violation, and you may receive a ticket. |
| Why are sidewalks sometimes so icy? |
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The Towns service level for winter maintenance on sidewalks is to maintain them to a snow packed condition. Snow packed is defined as a hard-packed snow surface. Sidewalk plows/blowers are not capable of clearing snow and ice from sidewalks to the extent that bare concrete is exposed in all conditions. The amount of scraping and sand/salt required to achieve a bare concrete service level would be damaging to the pavement, equipment, and the environment.
Winter weather can cause safety issues for residents. Town Staff make every effort to clear sidewalks as quickly and effectively as possible. Please help protect yourself by allowing for extra time and caution when walking in any winter conditions.
Snow and ice often bonds to the concrete during extreme temperatures, and ice can also form on snow packed sidewalks during thaw/freeze cycles. Other factors, such as overgrown turf on the edge of the sidewalk or a buildup of residual ice and snow under wheel tracks, can cause the edge of the plow or blower to ride above the surface of the sidewalk. All affected areas are treated with sand for traction.
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Why can’t I push snow out onto the road?
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Depositing snow or ice on the street creates hazardous traffic conditions and this could result in an accident. Make sure your snow removal contractor is aware this practice is unsafe and not permitted.
Pushing snow across roads and streets is not only a safety hazard; it is also against the law. The Ontario Traffic Act states: No person shall deposit snow or ice on a roadway without permission in writing to do so from the Ministry or the road authority responsible for the maintenance of the road. R.S.O 1990, c. H.8, S. 181
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Does the Town clear walkways and trails in Shelburne?
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Recreational walkways will not be maintained in the winter, only trails/walkways that are travelled by residents to schools are cleared for travel in the winter. These walkways are considered secondary routes and will be cleared after the primary sidewalks.
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Who clears the snow from mail boxes?
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Canada Post is responsible for clearing snow from mail boxes. For concerns, please call Canada Post inquiry line at 1-800-267-1177
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I live on a corner lot – why do I have more snow in my driveway than my neighbours?
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If you live on a corner property and the driveway is close to the corner, you can experience a buildup of more snow on your driveway than your neighbours. This is an unavoidable condition caused by the nature of the snow plow and its ability to maneuver turns.
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Why is my lawn sometimes damaged by the sidewalk plow?
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Edges of sidewalks may become hidden with deep snow or snow drifts. That is when the plow may cause damage to sod. In those circumstances damage may be unavoidable even with even the most experienced operator. When sod is frozen, damage is minimal; however, when sod is not frozen, it lifts away very easily. To report sod damage, please complete the online report a concern form or call the Utility Coordinator at the Town of Shelburne 519-925-2600 extension 261. Staff will inspect the damage and make repairs in the spring.
Please remember that boulevards are owned by the Town and should not have any permanent landscape features. These damaged items would not be the responsibility of the Town.
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The snow plow damaged/broke my blue bin/compost bin, what do I do?
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While operators try to be careful, some degree of damage is unavoidable. Please bring your damaged bin to the Town Hall and it will be replaced at no charge.
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What are my responsibilities as the property owner?
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Property owners are responsible for clearing snow from their walkways and driveways and it makes good sense to keep these areas and steps free of ice to keep your family safe.
Other points of snow etiquette and safety to keep in mind are:
- Be a good neighbour. Lend a hand to those who may not be physically able to shovel or who may find walking to the store or bus stop too difficult because of the snow or ice.
- Keep your children safe - do not let them play in the snow piles or on the snowbanks at the side of the road.
- Place your garbage containers and blue box on a cleared area, do not perch them on the top of snow piles, on the road or sidewalk.
- Shovel snow onto your property, away from the road and sidewalk
- When clearing snow, pile it on your property it should not be pushed onto Town streets – it’s illegal.
- Help prevent street flooding and clear storm drains of leaves and snow
- Property owners with fire hydrants fronting or abutting their property are requested to assist by keeping them visible and clear of snow.
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How much snow clearing does the Town of Shelburne conduct?
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The winter maintenance crew are responsible for clearing and salting:
- 72.34 lane kilometers of roads and laneways. (connecting link, Main Street and Owen Sound Street are maintained by Ministry of Transportation)
- 31 kilometers sidewalks and 3 pedestrian bridges
- 3 Municipal Parking lots – William Street, Wellington Street, and Town Hall, Parks, cemetery and Library
- Fire station, Wells, Wastewater treatment plant, Public Works yards, Water tower and 2 Town owned storage facilities
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