(File photo/northeastNOW)

By Cam Lee

Snow removal reminders

City of Melfort and Town of Nipawin remind residents to obey snow removal rules

Dec 19, 2025 | 1:23 PM

Melfort and Nipawin are reminding residents to do what they can to help snow removal crews.

Melfort Bylaw Officer Elizabeth McLean told northeastNOW that parking is permitted on city streets for a period of 48 hours maximum.

“The parking limit is in place to allow City crews to perform street sweeping and snow removal,” McLean said. “Vehicles will become blocked in by large ridges left by the grader, having to go around them when cleaning streets.”

Director of Public Works Kalyna Cipywnyk said streets in residential areas typically have more vehicles and narrower right-of-ways than in other areas of Melfort, which can make it more difficult for larger equipment to maneuver.

According to McLean, vehicles parked downtown must be moved every couple of hours.

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“In the city’s core (the commercial area downtown), street parking is limited to a maximum of two hours before they must move their vehicle,” McLean explained.

She also reminds motorists that anyone parked in a handicap or accessible parking spot must display a placard in the window of their vehicle.

Vehicles parked for extended periods of time not only interrupt the maintenance of streets, but McLean said they also pose a safety concern with the large snow ridges encroaching on the driving lane, which obstructs traffic flow.

She added that long-dormant vehicles can also become immobilized with dead batteries, and some of them parked have expired licenses as well, which means if anyone ran into them, there would be no insurance coverage.

McLean said parking is reduced to two hours in the downtown core to allow for the grader to clean up the commercial area in a timely and efficient manner.

“Limited parking time in the downtown area also allows for people shopping to have access to convenient parking and be able to access the businesses they want to visit,” McLean said. “If people who work in the downtown area park for eight hours, they are taking up precious parking space for those who want to support our businesses.”

Cipywnyk reminded business owners they are responsible for clearing the sidewalk in front of their building within 24 hours of a snowfall.

People violating the parking limits can be fined and have their vehicle towed at their expense if found to be in violation of a Traffic Bylaw infraction, which includes parking violations. McLean said fines generally range from $75 to $150, less if paid within 14 days. That does not include the fee for towing, which depends on the company used.

“The city bylaw officers typically will issue a warning before ticketing and towing unless it is an emergency or a vehicle has expired plates.”

Residents are also reminded that snow crews will not begin removal until snowfall and blowing wind have stopped. Homeowners are not allowed to push snow from their property onto city streets.

Cipywnyk thanked all residents and businesses for their patience and positive attitudes towards living and working in a winter city.

“We appreciate everyone’s efforts to drive safely according to the road conditions, especially around city crews and equipment.”

The Town of Nipawin also issued a news release regarding snow removal on Friday, reminding residents not to push snow from private property onto streets and to move vehicles off those streets if possible.

“After a snowfall, please move vehicles off the street whenever possible so our crews can clear roads efficiently and curb to curb,” the release said.

Nipawin residents were also asked to give crews the space they need to remove the snow.

“These small steps make a big difference in keeping roads safe and accessible for emergency vehicles, school buses, and daily traffic,” the release stated. “Thank you for your cooperation and patience as crews work through winter conditions.”

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com