8 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday November 22, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Vision To be the most livable town in Canada Oh No... Here Comes the Snow! No worries the Town has snow plows, shovels and the crew ready for another winter season. Here are a few questions we get from residents: Q: What are primary, secondary and residential roads? Primary roads are those with the greatest volume of traffic such as Trafalgar Road and Upper Middle Road. Secondary roads, such as Glenashton Drive and West Oaks Trails, are roads that have less traffic than primary roads, but also have bus routes and lead to primary roads. Residential roads, such as Sandlewood Road and Belyea Road, again have much less traffic than the other two roadways. Q: Why does my Cul de Sac always seem to be plowed last? A street that has a Cul de Sac - a road that does not allow for a car to drive through to another street, requires a plow that can make the turn in the circular area. For that reason, a smaller plow, with specially designed blades are sent back to these areas after other roads are cleared. Q: Does the Town clear all roads at once? No. Primary and secondary roads are plowed first to ensure that emergency service vehicles can safely get to where they are going. Residential streets are plowed only after snow accumulates in excess of 10 cm (4 inches). When all street require clearing, they are to be completed within 24 hours after the end of the storm. The heavier the snowfall, the longer it will take to clear all the streets. Q: When does the Town sand and/or salt the roads? Sand and/or salt trucks are dispatched at the start of a snowfall and at the first sign of roads beginning to ice. Residential roads are only salted when conditions warrant and then only hills curves and intersections. Q: When can I expect my sidewalk to be cleared? Sidewalks are cleared after snow accumulates in excess of 5 cm (2 inches), and only after roads are cleared. Sidewalks on primary and secondary roads with schools are plowed first, followed by residential sidewalks. Q: Does the Town clear the pile of snow the plow leaves in my driveway (windrow)? Residents are responsible to remove the windrow, but the Town does have a windrow removal program for seniors and people with physical disabilities. Cost is $50 for the season. Registration for this program closes November 28. Call 905-338-SNOW (7669) or visit www.links2care.ca. Q: Who is responsible for clearing snow around bus shelters and bus stops? The Town of Oakville is. Please call 905-815-2020 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to advise them of snow or ice at bus stops or shelters. Q: Who is responsible for clearing snow around Canada Post Super Mailboxes? Canada Post is responsible for clearing the snow and ice around super mailboxes. If your mailbox is blocked by snow, please call Canada Post at 1-800-267-1177. Q: Is there a somewhere I can call to find out about snow maintenance? Yes. The Town has a recorded message on their snow phone line - 905-815-5999 that is updated with the latest plowing information for Oakville streets. For snow maintenance information, visit www.oakville.ca or call 905-815-5999 Snow Time Means Snow Fun! enjoy all that Oakville has to offer. Please keep in mind that safety is an important part of enjoying the great outdoors. Neighbourhood rinks, usually on a parking lot or ball diamond infield area, are maintained by the Town. If a neighbourhood wants to establish a rink other than those listed below, it is the residents' responsibility to maintain the rink. Visit www.oakville.ca to download The Community Ice Rink request form and more details. Langtry Park: Heritage Way/Brays Line Nottinghill Park: Nottinghill Gate/Pilgrims Way Sixteen Hollow Park: West Oak Trails Blvd./Westview Terrace Falgarwood Park: Grosvenor Street/Gainsborough Drive Clearview Park: Sir David Drive/Wynten Way Drive Community rinks are operational weather permitting and depending on ice thickness and quality of ice on ponds and creeks. They are signed as "safe" or "unsafe." Please mind the signs. Sixteen Mile Creek: Lakeshore Road/Water Street Bronte Marsh: Lakeshore Road/Triller Place Stormwater management ponds are designed to protect our natural streams and waterways against flooding and erosion. They collect stormwater from the local storm sewer system, provide treatment to trap pollutants, and then slowly release the treated water back into our waterways. Because these waters are constantly moving, even in the winter months, it is not safe to skate on these ponds. Please use the outdoor ice rinks provided by the Town.