Adopt-a-Road
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The Adopt-a-Road program allows a variety of organizations the opportunity to assist the Township in keeping the environment clean and maintaining scenic roadways throughout the Township, including:
- families
- service clubs
- youth groups
- volunteers groups
How do I Adopt-A-Road?
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The applicant can fill out an Adopt-a-Road application and return it to the Township offices. Remember to read the Terms and Conditions. |
Terms and Conditions
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Purpose
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The Township of Woolwich’s Adopt-a-Road Program has been established as a public service program for volunteers to pick up litter along Township Road rights-of-way. It is a way for environmentally conscious citizens to make a personal contribution to a cleaner environment.
Under the program, groups or individuals agree to adopt a section of Township road allowance and keep it clean. In addition to a cleaner environment, the volunteer(s) may be recognized by a sign erected by the road authority acknowledging their efforts.
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Definitions
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Adopt-a-Road Program: A public participation program of the Township designed to assist in the removal and reduction of litter on road allowances maintained by the Township
Adopted Section: The portion of the road allowance maintained by the Township approved for adoption by the volunteers (normally 2 km or more, both sides).
Volunteers: Any individuals and/or groups that offer their services to pick up litter along adopted sections of road allowances for no compensation or profit and no right of action for benefits payable under Workers Compensation.
Authorized Group Representative: The individual selected or appointed by the volunteers to act on their behalf for the purpose of adopting a section of road allowance.
Township: The Township of Woolwich.
Authorized Township Representative: The Township’s representative who has the responsibility for the Township’s program.
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Participation in Adopt-a-Road Program
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Road safety is of primary importance in all Township decisions related to the Adopt-a-Road Program.
Only groups and individuals determined by the Township to be responsible and to exhibit, in good faith, the desire and the ability to achieve Adopt-a-Road Program objectives within the parameters of these terms and conditions will be allowed to adopt a section of road allowance. The Township may refuse to grant a request to adopt a section if, in its opinion, granting the request would jeopardize the program, be counter-productive to its purpose, or create a hazard to the safety of the public.
Volunteers are not considered as Officers, Employees, or Agents of the Township. Any injuries, claims, liabilities, suits, or costs arising from the volunteers’ activities relating to the agreement, shall be the sole responsibility of the volunteers. Volunteers shall indemnify the Township and agree to abide by the Township’s guidelines and to not hold the Township responsible for any injuries or damages that they may cause or suffer as a result of participation in the Adopt-a-Road Program.
Volunteers are encouraged to recycle materials collected from the adopted section of road allowance, whenever and wherever possible.
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Agreement
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Volunteer groups wishing to participate in the Adopt-A-Road Program must enter into an Agreement with the Township of Woolwich. The agreement contains the following information:
Completed by the Township:
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- Location of road allowance section to be adopted.
- Dates that litter pick ups cannot occur.
- The signature of the Authorized Township Representative or an authorized designate of the Township.
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Completed by the Volunteer Group/Individual(s):
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- Contact information for the Authorized Group Representative.
- Indicate if the adoption is a renewal or a first time participation.
- The name of the Authorized Group as it is to appear on the Adopt-a-Road sign (if desired).
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Completed by the Volunteer Group/Individual(s) Each Year:
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- The approximate number of volunteers in the group who will be participating in the clean-ups.
- Each volunteer participating must sign the Volunteer Waiver Form.
- By their signatures, the volunteers acknowledge that they have read, and will comply with, the Terms and Conditions and the Agreement associated with the program, and understand the hazardous nature of the work they will perform, and are aware of the safety guidelines for volunteers.
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Responsibilities of Groups, Organizations and/or Volunteers
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Volunteers participating in the Adopt-a-Road Program must:
- Appoint or select an Authorized Group Representative to act on behalf of the group.
- Ensure that the Authorized Group Representative reviews the safety video provided by the Township and signs the acknowledgment form, as well as supply safety information/training to their volunteers. All volunteers must receive and be familiar with the contents of the Township safety brochure “Safety Guidelines For Volunteers” before participating in clean-ups of the adopted section of road allowance.
- Ensure that all volunteers review and sign the Volunteer Waiver Form and return the form to the Township’s Engineering and Planning Services Department before participation.
- Obey and abide by all laws and regulations relating to safety and such terms and conditions as may be required by the Township.
- Make arrangements for off road parking or shuttle bus-type of travel to the worksite.
- Park all vehicles, at the worksite, as far away as possible from the travelled portion of the roadway.
- Ensure provision of all transportation, supervision, medical/first aid service.
- When collecting, sort litter into 3 categories: metal/cans, glass, other litter.
- Provide the Township’s Infrastructure Services Department a minimum 48 hours notice prior to beginning a clean-up. Notification is required so that Township staff can be scheduled to pick up the collected litter in the days following the clean-up (volunteer groups are encouraged to recycle as much as possible).
- Wear a Township-approved safety vest, gloves, sturdy footwear and any additional appropriate safety apparel at all times during the clean-up.
- Wear clothing that will not impair vision or movement during the clean-up.
- Collect litter only from the grassed road allowance sections of adopted roadway and not pick up litter on the road surface, paved or gravel shoulders, medians, bridges, on overpasses, or around other structures or locations that could pose a danger.
- Ensure that no individual under the age of twelve (12) is present at the work site.
- Provide supervision by one adult (18 years of age or older) for every five (5) or fewer volunteers 12-17 years of age. The Township reserves the right to limit the number of volunteers on an adopted section of road allowance.
- Ensure no volunteer possesses or consumes illegal drugs or alcoholic beverages immediately prior to or during clean-up activities.
- Suspend litter pick up when weather conditions become inclement (i.e., fog, rain, high wind, electrical storms, etc.).
- Ensure that no pets are present at the clean-up site.
- Work only during daylight hours (1 hour after sunrise to 1 hour before sunset).
- Display portable “work signs” and cone around vehicles parked within the roadway(s) during clean-ups, work signs and cones to be supplied by the Township.
- Flag closed containers, heavy objects, or suspected hazardous material for pick-up and disposal by Township staff.
- Surrender items of value (wallet, purse, cell phones, cameras etc…) found on Township property to the nearest police station.
- Ensure that no signs, posters, or other display materials are brought to the adopted section during or between clean ups.
- Place filled trash bags at the designated pick up sites(s) as pre-arranged by the Township and the Authorized Group Representative.
- Ensure that clean-ups do not occur on the following dates: New Years Eve Day, New Years Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas and Boxing Day.
- Return all inventory (Township Adopt-A-Road kit) to the Township’s Infrastructure Services Department within three (3) days of the completion of a clean-up, unless an extension has been received from the Township, in writing. Failure to do so will result in the group or individual being billed for the replacement value of the items.
- Ensure that all participates abide by the above rules and requirements.
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Township Responsibilities
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The Township will:
- Approve the selected section of Township road allowance to be adopted.
- Provide portable work signs, cones, safety vests, gloves, trash bags, flags and safety training/information.
- Erect sign(s), when desired by the group, with the group’s name displayed at the beginning of each adopted section of road allowance; unless, in the opinion of the Township, erecting the signs would jeopardize the program, be counter-productive to its purpose, or create a hazard to the safety of the public.
- Remove and dispose of filled trash bags (unless otherwise noted by Authorized Group Representative that the trash bags will be removed and disposed of by Group).
- Remove litter from the adopted allowance section under unusual circumstances (i.e., to remove large, heavy, or hazardous items) that have been flagged.
- Monitor to ensure the objectives of the program are being met.
- Approve the name, titles, or words placed on Adopt-a-Road signs.
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Modification/Renewal/Termination of the Agreement or Program
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The Adopt-a-Road program or agreement may be modified in scope or altered in any manner at the discretion of the Township.
Volunteers will have the option of renewing their two (2) year agreement, subject to the approval of the Township and continuation of the program.
The Township may terminate the agreement and/or remove the Adopt-a-Road signs bearing the volunteer’s name if it finds that:
- The group is not meeting the terms and conditions of the agreement.
- One or more volunteers of a group is not responsible and/or engaged in irresponsible conduct at the adopted road section.
- The volunteers are acting contrary to the guidelines of the program.
- The adoption is proving to be counter-productive to the program’s objective.
- Undesirable effects such as increased litter, vandalism or sign theft are resulting from the adoption.
The Township may, at their sole discretion, decide not to continue the program, resulting in the termination of the agreement and the removal of the signs.
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Safety Guidelines for Volunteers
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Plan for Safety
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Before Clean Up Events
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- Review the safety rules with each volunteer.
- If there are any youth volunteers, one adult (18 years or older) supervisor must be in attendance for each five workers between the ages of 12-17.
- Identify the most direct route to the nearest medical emergency facility, and plan for immediate transportation options in case of emergency.
- Know where the nearest telephone is located, or ensure there is a working cell phone available.
- Let volunteers know what safety equipment and clothing will be required.
- Check the weather before the event.
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During Clean Up Events
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- Display portable work signs near clean-up locations.
- Clean up one side of the roadway at a time, and work towards oncoming traffic.
- Drive to the opposite side of the roadway when switching sides. Do not cross the pavement on foot when switching sides of the road.
- Pick up litter during daylight hours only.
- Flag heavy, hazardous and unidentifiable items, and notify the Township. Township staff will remove these items.
- Stay clear of:
- Any maintenance or construction operations and equipment.
- Water hazards.
- Hazardous plants (e.g. poison ivy or giant hogweed) and biting or stinging insects.
- Do not complete clean up work:
- During inclement weather.
- On the pavement, shoulder or in the median.
- On bridges, overpasses, steep ground or in tunnels.
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After Clean Up Events
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- Recycle where possible.
- Notify the Township of Woolwich of any flagged heavy or hazardous items for pick up.
- Return the kit to the Township of Woolwich within 3 days.
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Volunteers Must:
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- Review safety rules, the safety video and sign the acknowledgement form before participating in a clean up session.
- Be at least 12 years old.
- Stay mentally alert at all times.
- Always wear rugged footwear, gloves, a safety vest during clean up.
- Flag heavy, hazardous and unidentifiable items, and notify the Township. Township staff will remove these items.
- Be careful not to step or jump on trash bags.
- Stay clear of:
- Any maintenance or construction operations and equipment.
- Water hazards.
- Do not complete clean up work:
- During inclement weather.
- On the pavement, shoulder or in the median.
- On bridges, overpasses, steep ground or in tunnels.
- Return the kit to the Township of Woolwich within 3 days of the clean up.
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Volunteer Safety During Clean Up Event
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- Always wear:
- Rugged footwear.
- Gloves.
- A safety vest.
- Long sleeve tops and pants (shorts are not recommended).
- A baseball cap or wide-brimmed hat for sun protection.
- Sunscreen.
- Drink lots of fluids while you work, especially on hot, humid days.
- Be aware of any special or medical needs of fellow volunteers.
- Take breaks to avoid over-exertion.
- Stay alert for, and avoid:
- Hazardous plants (e.g. poison ivy, giant hogweed).
- Insects that bite or sting.
- Flag any hazardous, heavy or unidentifiable items, and notify the Township. Township staff will remove these items.
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Vehicle Safety Rules:
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- Carpool to minimize the number of vehicles at the clean-up site.
- Vehicles should be parked on the same side of the roadway as where volunteers are currently working.
- Vehicles should be parked parallel to the road, and as far off of the travelled portion of the road as possible.
- Place cones around parked vehicles.
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Construction and Roadwork
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Throughout the year there are many construction and roadwork projects underway across the Township.
To find out more about current Township construction projects please see the details under Engineering Public Notices.
The Regional Municipality of Waterloo provides additional information on their web page closures and reconstruction projects.
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Entrance Permits
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If you are interested in widening your driveway you will need to apply for an entrance permit. There are rules such as maximum width and number of driveways that apply to each property.
To find out what may apply to your property please contact Infrastructure Services staff.
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Half Load, Oversized Loads and Load Limited Structures
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Half Load
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Half load season is from March 1 until April 30 annually, with NO exceptions, restrictions apply to all Township roads. No commercial vehicle or trailer may be operated on any posted roads within the Township where the weight per axle exceeds 5 tonnes.
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Oversized Loads
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An oversize/overweight permit is required for any vehicles travelling on Township roads where the dimensions or weight exceed the limits permitted by legislation.
No person shall drive a vehicle or combination of vehicles on a highway that is in excess of the dimensions and weight set out in the Highway Traffic Act without first having obtained a permit from the Region of Waterloo.
Permits can be attained by filling out a Region of Waterloo application through their online process.
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Load Limited Structures
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There are many structure locations throughout the Township that have load limits that MUST be adhered to by all drivers.
When an authorized sign is on display, no person shall drive a vehicle or combination of vehicles if the gross weight is in excess of the weight posted for a structure on a highway. (By-law 70-2006)
Load limits are posted on both approaches to bridges throughout the Township. The load restrictions on structures are outline in By-laws 115-1999 and 9-2011. If you require further information on restrictions please contact Engineering Staff.
All Half Load, Oversized and Structures that meet the above specifications are outlined on this Township Map.
If you require further information regarding Half Load, Oversized or Structures, please contact Infrastructure Services Staff.
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Report a Problem - Roads and Sidewalks
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We maintain the Township roads in accordance with the Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways (Ontario Regulation 239/02, as amended). Maintenance activities include routinely patrolling the roads to check for:
- potholes
- shoulder drop-offs
- cracks
- signage repairs
- sidewalk trips/hazards
Please report any problems you see on a road or sidewalk.
Many of the larger, higher traffic roads are Regional Roads.
If you find a problem on a Regional Road, please contact the Region of Waterloo Dispatch at 519-575-4400.
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Road Work Permits
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If you are doing work that requires occupation or closure of a Township road, sidewalk, boulevard or right-of-way, you will need to apply for a road work permit.
To find out what may apply to your property please contact Infrastructure Services staff.
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Special Events
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Many special events are hosted within the Township; the biggest of which being the Elmira Syrup Festival. Whether you are looking for food, family fun or a sporting event, there's an event in Woolwich for you!
We are here to guide you through this process. Our team can answer your questions about food, vendors, fireworks, tents, and alcohol at an event.
If you are organizing a festival or an event on a Township roadway, sidewalk, or parking lot that may interfere with the normal flow of traffic or require a road closure you will need to complete a Special Event Permit application. Please see below for details and the application form.
Please note that if you have applied for a Special Event Permit in the past, there are changes to the process as of January 2023.
Planning an Event in Woolwich
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Special Events are:
- Open to the public (for example: parades, sidewalk or street sales, festivals, filming, etc.)
- Have predetermined opening and closing dates and times
- May consist of several separate activities within a Township defined area (for example: roads, parking lots, walkways, pathways, trails, parks, ball diamonds, community centres, etc.)
If you are planning to use walkways, pathways, trails, parks, sports fields, and/or community centres for your special event, please contact our Recreation and Community Services Department for more information.
If your event includes: food, alcohol, fireworks, music or tents you may require additional applications. Please contact our Corporate Services Department for more information.
Special Events do not include the following items:
- Wedding
- Funeral Procession
- Picketing
- Road Work Permits
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Applying for a Permit
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The application must be submitted to the Infrastructure Services Department a minimum of 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the event. No person or persons shall stage a Special Event on Township property without first obtaining a Special Event Permit from the Township of Woolwich.
Before starting a Special Event Permit application, consider whether you plan to hire paid duty or auxiliary police services through the Waterloo Regional Police Services.
For events within the Township's Road Allowance, which includes roads, sidewalks and boulevards, and municipal parking lots, there may be different requirements to submit. Please be aware that the Township will not supply traffic control devices. Rentals for traffic control must be sourced by the organizer, including the set-up and removal of all traffic control devices. Many equipment rental companies are able to provide these devices.
Road closures or partial road closures are determined at the discretion of the Infrastructure Services Staff. Changes to the routing may be requested based on construction or safety hazards.
The Event Organizer must produce the following:
- Completed and signed application form
- Site map, showing extent of event
- Traffic control plan in accordance with Book 7 (certified by an authorized third-party) if events are occurring within the travelled portion of the road to outline how the event will protect participants and traffic
- Certificate of Insurance, naming all applicable municipalities as additionally insured
- Appropriate fee
Full requirements and details are outlined in the Special Events Permit Application form. The form needs to be filled out and submitted prior to making any plans.
Once copies of all event requirements are submitted and have been reviewed by Township Staff and associated authorities, you will receive a permit for approval and can proceed with your event.
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Additional Resources
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Traffic Calming
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Traffic calming is a method used to reduce the impact of traffic on neighbourhood streets and increase the overall safety for all users by:
- lowering vehicle speeds,
- deterring non-residential traffic from local neighbourhoods, and
- reducing the frequency of collisions.
'Drive Like Your Children Live Here' lawn sign packages are available for purchase at the Township of Woolwich Administration Building (24 Church Street West in Elmira). Each package comes complete with an 'H'-Frame steel stand and a 'Drive Like Your Children Live Here' Coroplast Sign. The sign measures 16 inches wide and 24 inches high. Packages are $8.50 each (HST included). Signs are to be placed on private property (i.e. on the front lawn, not in the boulevard) and in accordance with the Township of Woolwich Sign By-law.
For more information on traffic calming measures available within the Township please contact Infrastructure Services staff.
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Winter Maintenance
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We are committed to providing safe roads and sidewalks for the travelling public during the winter season.
Roads
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The Township of Woolwich is responsible for implementing a winter control program on Township Roads. This mostly includes snowplowing, but frequently also includes salting/sanding. Roads are patrolled daily during the winter months to guide winter control. Our dedicated and hardworking Operations Staff make every effort to ensure the Township Roads are adequately cleaned to provide safe travel to all.
The Township is obligated to adhere to O.Reg. 239/02 - Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways (MMS) where the Ministry of Transportation has established minimum standards of repairs for deficiencies and timeframes for winter maintenance of roadways. There are six road classifications identified in the regulation with Class 1 roadways garnering the highest level of service and Class 6 roadways the least. Woolwich’s road network is comprised of roadways that fall between Class 3 to Class 6. These roadways interconnect throughout the 9 snow plow routes across the Township.
During some snowfall events, certain roadways may be treated as a priority even though they are within the same classification based on the affect to the larger community. For example, a Class 5 roadway where a school is located would be deemed a priority compared to a Class 5 roadway that only has residential homes on it.
How quickly Operations Staff is able to address snow clearing is affected by a number of factors including:
- Time of day (i.e. weekend call out versus regular working day);
- Duration of event;
- Amount of snow, when it falls and how fast it comes down (it's a lot easier to deal with 5 cm than 15 cm);
- Weather factors, such as wind contributing to drifting; and
- Equipment breakdowns and staff availability.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding winter maintenance please Report It, contact our Operations Department during normal working hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 519-669-6043 or after hours and weekends contact the Region of Waterloo call centre at 519-575-4400.
Five things to remember during the winter:
- Caution - when travelling behind a snow plow, please be cautious as they will stop frequently and back up.
- Windrows - we understand your frustration when you clear your driveway and then a snowplow comes by and leaves a pile of snow - a windrow. Unfortunately, it is impossible to clear snow from the roads without leaving one.
- Parking - parked cars are a snowplow operator's biggest obstacle. If your street has not been plowed please do not park on it and abide by the Overnight Parking Ban, which is in affect from 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. December 1 to March 31.
- Dumping snow on the roads - do not push, plow or blow snow onto or across roads, it is illegal to deposit snow from your property onto the road.
- Patience - when plowing operations begin, trucks follow a pre-determined route to minimize duplication and maximize the efficiency of snow clearing operations. Plowing operations can take several hours depending on the amount of snow.
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Sidewalks
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For all Settlements, except Elmira, property owners are required to clear snow from the sidewalks in front of or beside their homes or businesses within 24 hours after the end of a snow fall that results in an accumulation of 38 mm or more.
The sidewalk snow clearing by-law outlines the policy for all properties.
The Township contracts the removal of snow on sidewalks in Elmira according to priority routes and then adds this service to the benefiting property owner's tax bill. In Elmira, the contractor has 24 hours after the end of the snowfall to clear the sidewalks, as such, there can be no guarantee that all priority sidewalk locations will be cleared by 8:30 a.m. Often, a section of sidewalk is believed to have been missed but more snow may have fallen after the sidewalk equipment has been past that area. It will be addressed the following evening within the 24 hour timeframe.
Similar to Road Clearing, the sidewalk operations follow a pre-determined route to minimize duplication and maximize the efficiency of snow clearing operations. The routes are based on a priority sequence with school zones, downtown core and collector roads being deemed to have the highest priority and receiving maintenance first.
As with clearing roadways, many variables affect sidewalk snow clearing operations; amount of snow, the type of snow, amount of drifting, how fast it accumulates, how long the snow fall lasts, and equipment breakdowns. These all impact how quickly sidewalk snow clearing can be completed.
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Please do not call to report unplowed roads or sidewalks until at least 24 hours after the end of the snow storm.
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