Corporation of the Town of Petawawa

By-law 1421/21

Being a By-law to Adopt a Winter Control Policy for the Town of Petawawa

Whereas the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25, as amended, states a lower-tier municipality may pass by-laws for services and things that the municipality is authorized to provide for;

And Whereas the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25, as amended, provides that a municipal power shall be exercised by by-law;

And Whereas Council adopted By-law 1150/17, being a by-law to adopt a winter maintenance policy, on October 2, 2017;

And Whereas Council wishes to complement the winter maintenance policy by adopting a winter control policy;

Now Therefore be it enacted by the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Petawawa as follows:

1. That the “Winter Control Policy” attached hereto as Schedule “A”, be and is hereby adopted.

2. That Schedule “A” is deemed to form part of this by-law.

3. That this by-law shall come into force and take effect following third reading.

By-law read a first and second time this 3rd day of August, 2021.

By-law read a third time and passed this 3rd day of August, 2021.

(Signatures) Signature of the Mayor (Original Signed)

Signature of the Clerk (Original Signed)

Summary of Schedule “A”: Winter Control Policy

Objectives and Responsibilities

• Purpose: To define standards and procedures for reducing hazards from snow and ice to maintain safe roadways and sidewalks.

• Standards: The policy adopts Ontario Regulation 239/02 (Minimum Maintenance Standards) as a baseline.

• Responsibility: The Director of Public Works oversees operations, with direct management by the Manager of Public Works and execution by the Lead Hand and Public Works staff .

Operations & Equipment

• Fleet: Includes 6 combination plow/salt units, 5 sidewalk tractors, loaders, and backhoes .

• Staff: A team of heavy equipment operators, a mechanic, and seasonal labourers operate on a standard shift (7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.), with overtime call-ins as required by weather .

• Patrolling: Roadways are patrolled at frequencies based on their class (e.g., Class 3 roads every 7 days) to check for snow or ice accumulation. Electronic monitoring and GPS tracking are used for weather logging and vehicle tracking .

Snow Plowing Standards

• Trigger Depths: Snow clearing begins when accumulation exceeds limits defined by road class (e.g., 8 cm for Class 3 roads to be cleared within 12 hours).

• Priorities: Routes are designed to clear arterial/secondary roads first, followed by residential streets and cul-de-sacs .

• County Roads: Certain major arteries (e.g., Petawawa Blvd, Victoria St) are maintained by the County of Renfrew .

Sidewalks & Parking Lots

• Sidewalks: Clearing typically starts 1–2 hours after road plowing begins to minimize conflict. There are 4 designated sidewalk routes cleared by seasonal operators .

• Parking Lots: Nine municipal lots (e.g., Town Hall, Civic Centre) are cleared by contractors .

Ice Control

• Sand vs. Salt: Sand mixed with 5% salt is used for traction, especially on hills/curves or when temps drop below -12°C. Straight salt is used for de-icing when temperatures permit effective chemical reaction (above -12°C) .

• Ice Prevention: Roads are treated to prevent ice formation within 16–24 hours of identifying a substantial probability of ice forming .

Snow Removal

• Hauling: Snow windrows may be removed (blown into trucks and hauled away) if they reduce lane widths, obstruct pedestrian movement, or block sightlines .

• Driveways: The Town does not clear windrows left across private driveways by plows.

Public Interaction & Enforcement

• Parking: Interference with snow clearing is enforced via the Snow Removal By-law (683/11) and by the Commissionaires .

• Damage: The Town will repair damage to mailboxes or sod caused by municipal plowing operations .

• Hydrants: Residents are encouraged to help keep hydrants clear, though Town staff will clear them as resources allow .

Appendices

• A & B: Maps/descriptions of Plow Routes and Sidewalk Routes .

• D: Snow Removal By-law 683/11 (prohibiting pushing snow onto public roads) .

• E: Copy of the Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways (O. Reg 239/02) .

• F: Information on “Significant Weather Events,” which allow the Town to suspend standard timelines during severe weather hazards .