Stettler Town Council met on Nov. 4 to approve updates to the snow and ice control policy ahead of the winter season.
The policy outlines how snow plowing, removal & ice control are managed across town streets, sidewalks, pathways & parking lots.
The major changes this year concern the boundary roads listed under the Town & County’s recent road use agreement.
Roads outlined in dark purple will now be cleared by County of Stettler crews, while the Town will take over snow clearing at the airport.
After approving the snow & ice control policy, a second motion was passed to bring back more information to council on the priorities for snow removal on laneways & back alleys.
Key Priorities & Response Targets
No changes were made this year to the trigger targets for snow removal. Snow clearing will begin once trigger amounts are reached, with the aim of completing within the targeted timeframes:
Priority 1 – Major thoroughfares: 5 cm within 24 hours
Priority 2 – Collector roads & downtown: 7.5 cm within 48 hours
Priority 3 – School zones: 7.5 cm within 72 hours
Priority 4 – Residential collectors: 15 cm within 96 hours
Priority 5 – Residential roads: 20-30 cm as required
Snow will either windrowed to the side or hauled away depending on space. Streets with sidewalks on both sides will have snow removed entirely.
If more than 30 centimeters of snow accumulates in front of driveways, mailboxes or private sidewalks, the town will work to clear it promptly.
12 hours notice will be given through posted signage, weather permitting for residential plowing.
Ice Control & De-Icing Measures
Ice control will primarily focus on intersections, inclines & school zones, with full-street treatment only during unsafe conditions.
De-icing will take place during snowfalls, freezing rain or frost, or when hazardous conditions are reported by RCMP or town staff. Residential lanes will be sanded as needed.
Parking Lots & Alleyways
All town parking lots will be cleared after each snowfall, with snow stockpiled on-site before removal at a later time.
These lots include the Town Office, Fire Hall, Community Hall, Curling Rink & Stettler Recreation Centre for example.
The Homesteader’s Park gravel lot has also been added to the list. Parking lots will be maintained on an as-needed basis to reduce gravel loss.
Sidewalks & Pathways
Town-owned sidewalks & pathways will be cleared within 48 hours after a snowfall. Property owners are responsible for sidewalks adjacent to their property & must not deposit snow onto streets or lanes.
An exception applies to sidewalks along provincial highways, where snow buildup from highway plowing makes removal by property owners unreasonable. The town will handle those areas.
Airport Operations
Responsibility for snow removal at the Stettler Airport has shifted from the County to the Town of Stettler.
The runway, taxiway & apron are now designated as priority 1, while the hangar access & the access road are priority 2.
To protect aircraft from debris, no sanding or de-icing will occur on the runway.
Snow clearing will only take place on weekends or holidays following major snowfalls exceeding 15 cm, or as needed.
Author: Landin Chambers
Landin Chambers is a news reporter for Hometown Media Stettler. He has a background in broadcast news, with previous roles in Prince George, Red Deer and Calgary. You may also see him as a cameraman for the Stettler Wildcats and Stettler Imperials. Have a story idea? Email: lchambers@htproductionsmedia.ca
