(Mat Barrett/northeastNOW Staff)

By Mat Barrett

Melfort Public Parking

Watch where you park: The do’s and don’ts of parking in Melfort

Feb 10, 2020 | 5:00 PM

Melfort’s Director of Protective Services wants to make sure everyone knows the do’s and don’ts of parking around the city.

Shaun Stewart said graters around the city are trying to clear the snow from side streets given the short reprieve from the snow.

He said that job becomes a bit more difficult with cars parked in front of houses.

“Now they’re trying to get out and do some of the side streets and get it so we can get around the city a little bit better,” Stewart said. “But with vehicles that are parked there curbside, you can see where they’ve gone by the first time and there’s a little six to eight inch berm built up around the car where they’ve had to go around it once. You can see that the car hasn’t moved, or attempted to move to get out of there.”

“Those people, if you can, put it in your driveway. Let the guys get out there and do their job.” _{-Shaun Stewart, Director of Protective Services}

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The bylaw states no vehicle is allowed to park on streets in the city for more than 48 hours.

“We’re able to drive by and have a look and see that your car has a foot of snow on it, it’s all over the window, we can tell you haven’t moved it,” Stewart told northeastNOW. “I like to go up, I bang on the door and give them a chance to move it if they’re home. If not, I’ve got to put a ticket on it.”

He added if a vehicle remains without moving for another 48 hours, it will get towed.

Some other issues Stewart said he gets asked about is alleyway parking. The bylaw states if it is for a delivery, someone is allowed to park there for a short period before moving on.

The same can be said for parking in front of fire hydrants which Stewart said has been a bit of an issue. Vehicles are allowed to be in front of hydrants for loading and unloading, but there must be someone at the wheel in case the fire department needs to respond. Once there is nobody at the wheel, drivers can be ticketed.

Stewart also made sure people remember to have their handicap signs visible in their vehicles if they are parking in those spots.

He said people should just be aware of the rules on parking around the city.

“There’s lots of signage out here in the city,” Stewart said. “All one needs to do when they’re going to park, is have a quick look and see what happens to be there.”

Tickets for not following the parking bylaws start at $50 depending on the infraction, and increase after that.

Stewart added all of the bylaws can also be found on the City of Melfort website.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6