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Title: Snow Removal Policy
Date Approved: February 21, 2023
Policy #: TS 01-2026
Council Resolution #: 50-23, 19-26
Department: Transportation Services
Revision: January 13, 2026
Rescinds:
Review Date:
1. Preamble
This policy sets service standards and responsibilities for snow and ice control within the
Town of Carberry. It establishes operational priorities for Public Works and outlines
obligations for residents and businesses to ensure safe, accessible movement for
pedestrians, motorists, emergency services, and commerce during winter conditions.
2. Scope & Authority
This policy applies to all municipal roads, lanes, boulevards, sidewalks, municipal parking
lots, and designated pedestrian routes within the Town limits, and to all properties
abutting a public right-of-way. Resident and business requirements are informed by
regional practices and adapted to Carberry's context.
3. Definitions
- Abutting Property: A private property that borders a public sidewalk, lane, or roadway.
- Windrow: The ridge of snow left after plowing.
- Priority Routes: Streets and facilities identified for early service to maintain
emergency access and mobility.
- Snow Event: Any measurable snowfall or drifting requiring municipal response.
4. Governance & Decision-Making
The Public Works Foreman or Acting Foreman is responsible for all snow and ice control
operations within Town limits, including call-ins, extra manpower, contracting, and off-
schedule hours.
1) Call-in: Directing Public Works employees to report for snow operations per the
collective agreement.
2) Extra manpower: Securing contractors or additional staff as needed.
3) Flexible hours: Scheduling work outside regular hours to meet service levels.
The Foreman will maintain a winter action plan informed by weather forecasts and will
notify the CAO when contracted help is required.
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5. Service Levels & Priority Routes
Objective: Maintain safe travel and access for emergency services, pedestrians, and
commerce.
Priority sequence:
1. Emergency & Critical Access
- Hospital: Ambulance Station to 1st Avenue; Emergency entrance to 1st Avenue
- Fire Hall/Route: Selkirk Street to 1st Avenue
- R.C.M.P. Station: Main Street to Stickle to Wellwood Road
- S.T.A.R.S. Landing Pad: Behind Mid Plains Implements
2. Main Street Corridor
- Blade to center and clear to avenues; remove excessive gutter/median build-up as
required
3. Sidewalks on designated routes
4. Rotating coverage of remaining streets (start in each corner of Town on a rotating
basis)
5. Facilities & Lots
- Carberry Plains Community Center, Transfer Station, municipal parking lots,
Cemetery, and church parking lots (as arranged)
Target timelines:
- Priority streets and designated pedestrian routes plowed within 24-36 hours
following the end of an average storm; timelines may extend for extreme events.
- Back lanes cleared when accumulations/drifting warrant and capacity allows.
6. Residents & Businesses: Responsibilities
6.1 General Requirements (All Properties)
- Do not deposit or push snow or ice onto any public street, boulevard, sidewalk, right-
of-way, ditch, or Town property. If you have no space to pile snow on your property, it
is your responsibility to haul it away at your expense.
- Residents must ensure unobstructed and safe access for emergency response
vehicles by keeping common walkways, stairs, exits, and parking lots clear at all
times. This includes timely snow clearing and applying sand or salt when conditions
require.
- Keep snow piles on your property and away from fire hydrants, catch basins,
intersections, and sightlines. Do not block pedestrian ramps, driveways, lanes, or
transit stops.
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6.2 Business District (Commercial Frontage)
- Sidewalks must be cleared and maintained by 10:00 AM on each day following a
snowfall, with additional clearing and application of salt/sand as needed to prevent ice
buildup.
- Businesses may push sidewalk snow into the curb lane during active clearing only if
it does not create hazardous piles or impede vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Excess
accumulations that impede access must be hauled away at owner's expense.
- Piles must not obstruct visibility, parking access, loading zones, or accessibility
features (ramps, tactile surfaces).
6.3 Multi-Unit Residential / Landlords
- Owners must ensure safe access on common walkways, stairs, exits, and parking
lots, including timely snow clearing and application of sand/salt.
7. Parking Restrictions During Snow Events
To expedite clearing on priority routes, the Town may declare temporary parking
restrictions. Vehicles left on signed routes during declared operations may be ticketed
and/or towed at the owner's expense.
Notices will be communicated via Town channels (website, social media, SMS/email
alerts when available).
8. Enforcement & Cost Recovery
Notice of Non-Compliance: The Town may issue a written notice requiring sidewalk
clearing or removal of obstructive piles within a specified period (e.g., 24 hours).
Fines: Failure to comply may result in administrative penalties (e.g., $50-$150) aligned
with regional practice. (Final amounts to be set by bylaw).
Town-led Removal & Billing: If the Town clears non-compliant areas after notice, the costs
may be charged back to the property owner.
Repeat Offenders: Progressive enforcement (higher penalties, shorter cure periods) may
be applied through bylaw.
9. Assistance Program (Accessibility & Vulnerable Residents)
The Town will coordinate or promote a volunteer "Snow Angels"-style program to assist
seniors and persons with disabilities who cannot meet obligations.
Eligibility, intake, and response times will be posted publicly before winter season.
10. Communications & Public Reporting
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The Town will provide event updates (e.g., snow maps, route progress, zone scheduling)
and text/email alerts when practicable.
Residents can report issues (uncleared sidewalks, blocked hydrants, windrows, icy
conditions) via the Town website or phone line; non-emergent issues will be addressed
on the next business day.
11. Snow Disposal Sites & Contractors
The Town may designate a snow dump site; contractors must obtain permission and are
responsible for piling dumped snow appropriately.
Contractors must comply with all Town directions regarding traffic safety, pile placement,
and environmental controls.
12. Environmental & Safety Considerations
The Town will use salt and sand judiciously to reduce ice hazards while minimizing
environmental impact; alternative treatments may be trialed where appropriate.
When clearing sidewalks, crews will avoid leaving blocking windrows at driveway or
pathway entrances and will address windrows and accessibility near schools and transit
stops as capacity allows.
13. Monitoring & Continuous Improvement
Public Works will review service outcomes after major storms and recommend
adjustments to equipment, staffing, or routing for Council consideration.
Annual preseason communications will remind residents and businesses of obligations
and support programs.
14. Procedural Notes
Pre-Storm: Equipment checks; contractor standby; de-icing stockpile verified.
During Event: Maintain Priority routes; deploy sidewalk and lane crews; adjust for drifting
and temperature.
Post-Storm (24-36 hrs): Complete Priority routes; commence rotating residential
clearing; address windrows and visibility; sand/salt as required.
15. Effective Date & Review
This policy takes effect upon Council approval and will be reviewed annually prior to each
winter season.
Adopted by Resolution of Council # 50-23 at Carberry, Manitoba, this 21 day of
February, 2023.
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Revision #1 adopted by Resolution of Council #19-26 at Carberry, Manitoba, this 13
day of January, 2026.