Few subjects have been so thoroughly thrashed out over the years by Sault Ste. Marie city council than snow removal.
But snowflakes are back on the agenda for Monday's council meeting, with Ward 3 Coun. Angela Caputo and Ward 1's Sonny Spina pushing for still more rumination about things like plow guards, windrows and those annoying ice chunks that plow operators leave in your driveway.
Their resolution includes suggestions for real-time tracking of snow plows and better communication with council and the public:
Snow removal service delivery assessment
Mover: Coun. A. Caputo
Seconder: Coun. S. Spina
Whereas due to our geographic location, Sault Ste. Marie tends to receive more snow than most Ontario municipalities with the 2024/2025 winter season being an exceptional year for snowfall with precipitation totalling over 400 centimetres; and
Whereas due to Sault Ste. Marie often receiving exceptional amounts of snowfall, residents have been left to clear large chunks of snow and ice resulting from city plows or graders leaving the excess snow and ice chunks in the end of their driveways; and
Whereas other Ontario municipalities have advanced with service delivery and equipment with such things as real-time tracking of equipment, plow guards that protect driveways from being snowed in, and windrow-clearing extensions that follow plows to clear snow and ice chunks left at the mouths of residents driveways;
Now therefore be it resolved that staff be requested to report back to council on current snow removal service delivery models;
Further be it resolved that said report include possible improvements to service and equipment, communication with council and residents, costs of upgrading service and equipment.
Monday's city council meeting will be live-streamed on SooToday starting at 5 p.m.