While it might be disconcerting to have no snow on the ground in mid-January, there are upsides for the City of Trail’s public works department.
Municipal services manager Jared Miner says crews aren’t idle just because snow plowing aren’t required.
“Oh my goodness, no, the list is long and we never see the end of it,” he said.
Miner said normally preparing for winter is a juggling act, but that wasn’t the case this year. They were able to complete their work without being rushed by weather windows. That included brushing of lanes and intersections, roadside firesmarting, and taking care of leaves. The lack of snow has also allowed crews to continue working in parks.
“Typically we shut down as soon as the snow starts to accumulate, and then we have to head back in the spring,” Miner said. “Now with no snow, we’ve been actually continuing maintenance activities, so we’ll have a huge head start come this spring.”
That work includes firesmarting of embankments, leaf control, and maintenance of playground equipment.
Miner said not spending time dealing with snow has also allowed staff to get caught up on tasks like cleaning up the public works yard, completing an inventory of street signs, and maintaining the city’s network of covered staircases. Plus they have been able to get a “huge jump” on urgent sidewalk repairs.
Another bonus is that the city will save money on the fuel and maintenance required to operate snowplows, graders, and loaders, Miner said.
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