As the snow starts to fall, the City of Williams Lake would like to remind residents of a few of the responsibilities that we all share. These responsibilities are put in place to help both our municipal works crews and the community to ensure everyone can enjoy the winter season.
The snow and ice clearing of sidewalks is the responsibility of the property owner. We want to make sure that sidewalks adjacent to properties are kept free of ice and snow accumulations, and we encourage you to offer assistance to any neighbours that might be in need. “If your sidewalk becomes slippery, there is sand provided free-of-charge at the City’s public works parking lot,” said Matt Sutherland, Manager of Public Works. “Unmaintained sidewalks could result in a fine, so please make arrangements in advance if you are going away this winter and won't be home to maintain them.”
Please avoid poling snow onto the road, as it can work to remove sand and/or salt placed there for your safety. Also, clearing large amounts of snow from your driveway onto the street is prohibited and should be limited to a patch no larger than 1m wide to avoid any penalties.
Even in the wintertime fires can still occur, so please help out our Williams Lake Fire Department by ensuring no snow is piled in a way that would block access to Fire Hydrants on your property. “The Fire Department really appreciates it when property owners clear the snow around their Fire Hydrandts to ensure our team has quick and easy access to them,” said Erick Peterson, Fire Chief. “The time it takes to clear a Hydrant so that we can reach it with our lines can be a huge difference in how effective we are at putting out a fire in winter.”
Our Public Works crews will be working hard to ensure the streets are as clear as possible for drivers, so please give them a hand by not parking along the sides of the road during snow clearing operations if possible. This will allow snow removal equipment to access the entire road. Vehicles who consistently impede snow removal may be towed at the owner’s expense. This also applies to garbage and recycling carts that can make snow removal difficult. We ask that you please place your cart out at 7:00am on the day of collection, and have it retrieved by 7:00pm the same day. If carts continuously impede snow clearing operations, it could result in a fine.
The City appreciates your cooperation as we know that winters can be lengthy and at times frustrating. However, if the community works together on these responsibilities then the winter can be easily enjoyed by all
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