(File photo/northeastNOW)

By Cam Lee

Dealing with snow, ruts

Melfort crews dealing with icy ruts following snowfall, weather fluctuations

Dec 13, 2024 | 5:00 PM

Communities across the region have had a chance to take a breather after significant snow removal was needed following a pair of early storms.

The City of Melfort’s Director of Public Works said she thinks their crew did an excellent job with snow removal considering the back-to-back snowfalls to start the season.

“Our crews ended up working extended hours in the early mornings and into the evenings, and between the Public Works and Community Services departments, all of the city’s snow removal equipment was engaged during this time,” said Kalyna Cipywnyk.

That equipment includes a grader, two snowplow trucks, two tandem hauling trucks, two or three loaders, skid steers, and walk-behind snow blowers.

Cipywnyk said the work was done as quickly as possible.

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“We were able to grade all of the streets and most of the back alleys in the community within 5-6 days of the last storm and have now been able to focus our efforts on removing windrows, snow piles in parking lots, and touching up the streets,” said Cipywynk. She said the crews gave their best effort toward snow clearing and followed the city policy as best they could.

However, the city is facing another challenge as the weather fluctuations continue. Warmer temperatures gave way to frigid conditions this week and that has resulted in icy spots with some significant ruts on some roads.

Cipywnyk acknowledged that there will be some areas that will need to be graded again, and crews will focus on shaving down that snow and ice once they finish dealing with snow piles in parking lots, on street corners, and near fire hydrants.

The icy road conditions have also meant the sand and salt truck has been busy the last couple of weeks in Melfort.

“We just received a new shipment of salt products to replenish our supply, and we should have enough to last us through the winter season,” Cipywnyk said.

She added residents can do their part to help city crews in their snow removal efforts by avoiding pushing or blowing snow onto city streets and back alleys.

“This only adds to the amount of snow that the grader will need to deal with, and these actions are against the City’s Snow Removal Bylaw.”

Cipywnyk said anyone with a wider driveway entrance on the street can mark out the edges of the entrance to allow the grader operator to see where the entrance begins to avoid leaving a ridge across the driveway. Moving vehicles parked on the street, if possible, is another way to allow the grader to clear snow along the curb. Cipywnyk said it’s also important for people to obey signage when crews are clearing the roads, and she asked for patience for future snow clearing events.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @northeastNOW_SK