By Roger White

City prepared for winter weather with new equipment

Nov 2, 2017 | 12:00 PM

Since the first centimetres of snow began to fall on Halloween, many area residents have been scrambling searching for shovels, winter boots and toques.

The City of North Battleford on the other hand have been busy preparing for the upcoming winter season, and according to Communications Coordinator Robert Oberlander, making sure that this winter goes as smoothly as last year.

From an equipment standpoint, the city has purchased a new front end loader and several new snow shovels in preparation for the any snowfall accumulation. In early 2016, the city also purchased a new LM 220 loader-mounted snow blower that will assist in getting rid of any major snow we receive.

While the 2018 budget has not yet been finalized, Oberlander reported that because last winter and spring was a very mild there was actually a surplus left which is available to the city this year.

“In 2017 we budgeted for $340,000 with our snow removal budget,” he said. ”At the beginning of October we still have more than $180,000 remaining for snow plowing and removal.”

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Oberlander said the city’s snow removal process will remain the same as last year’s where the streets have been prioritized based on function, volume of traffic and importance to the safety of the community.

Priority one areas which will be cleaned up within three days include emergencies routes, arterial routes as well as hills and the downtown district. Areas such as schools, seniors residences and sidewalks fall into the priority two category and will be completed within seven days. As was the case last year once the first priorities are completed then local streets and city owned parking lots will follow.

Oberlander also advised motorists to adhere to the winter parking rules and avoid parking on town streets during inclement weather.

“Our CSO’s (Community Safety Officers) will be handing out tickets this year to those who do not abide by the parking regulations,” he added.

To view the priority map please click here.

roger.white@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @RJWtheReporter