Winter has arrived…have YOU cleared your sidewalk yet? 

Have you ever thought about who is responsible to clear that section of sidewalk right in front of your house?  Have you even gone for a walk with your dog or a baby stroller along a residential street and been frustrated by the intermittent clearing?  I thought I would check out what the City of Barrie is responsible for and what the average home owner is obligated to do.  The City of Barrie sure has a lot on it’s plate when it snows!  Check it out: go to www.barrie.ca/Living/CityServices/WinterControl and go to the Snow Removal section.

Here is the section that specifically deals with residents of Barrie who are property owners:

Clearing Snow on Your Property
The City devotes a great deal of resources to keep streets and sidewalks clear of snow and ice after a snowfall. Residents often deposit snow and ice from their property onto the street or sidewalk not realizing that this contravenes municipal regulations (Nuisance By-Law), contributes to unsafe driving and walking conditions, and increases the cost of providing winter road maintenance. When you’re clearing snow from your driveway, please keep this snow on your property. Your efforts in making winter driving and walking safe for everyone are appreciated.

Driveways
Piling snow to the right side of the driveway can help reduce the amount of snow pushed back into the driveway. Standing in the driveway and looking at the street determines the right side. Don’t forget to remove your parked car from the street during snow removal operations.

Daytime On-street Parking
Parked cars make plowing difficult and sometimes impossible. With your help, winter maintenance crews can plow faster and more efficiently and you will reduce the chances of having to dig your car out of a snow bank.

Road Allowances
To facilitate the removal of snow from sidewalks and to prevent damage to private property, residents are required not to place cars, fences, posts, hedges, shrubs, driveway curbs or other obstructions on the road allowance. The City will not be responsible for damage to items placed on City property by property owners.

Help Keep Fire Hydrants Clear
Barrie has approximately 3,700 hydrants that need to be cleared every time there is a snow fall. The City works hard to keep hydrants clear and available for emergencies, however with heavy snow falls, this can be challenging. Residents are asked to assist by keeping fire hydrants on their properties clear of snow. Hydrants should have a clearing of one metre (3 ft.) all around and there should be a clear path to the street to ensure firefighters can readily access them. A hydrant can help save lives and property in your neighbourhood, if you see a hydrant that’s buried this winter, please do the neighbourly thing and dig it out. If you need assistance with hydrant snow removal please call 705-792-7920.

Damage to Sod
Sidewalk plowing presents many challenges; throughout the winter it is difficult to tell exactly where the edge of the sidewalk is, and when the ground is not frozen some sod damage may occur. Damage to City sod, pavement and City owned trees will be repaired in the spring. Call RPF at 705-739-4255 when you notice the damage and your address will be added to a list for repair when materials are available.

So, even though the City of Barrie is mandated to clear that sidewalk, why not help out your neighbours and clear it out earlier.  What a great job for the teenager with a little extra time on their hands!

We’d love to hear your comments and feedback so feel free to contact John or myself anytime.  You can reach John at John@johnweberteam.com or by cell at 705-727-6111, or Christie at Christie@johnweberteam.com or by cell at 705-220-1152.