Middleton to look at snow removal contracting

By Heather Killen

Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

The Town of Middleton is conducting a cost analysis to decide whether it’s time to begin hiring private contractors for snow removal.

During the council’s first regular meeting of the year on January 7, councillors Lorne Brown and Darren Boates, and Deputy Mayor Vera Errington all reported hearing complaints from other residents after the last snowstorm.

“Snow removal in the town has not been ideal, and with all the equipment breakdowns I’m wondering if the time has come to contract the work out,” said Deputy Mayor Errington.

“Especially when I look out and see the parking lot at Save Easy is clear, while the snow on my street is still a foot deep.”

She added that when the slush accumulates on the sidewalks and then freezes, it presents a dangerous situation for anyone on foot, and especially for seniors.

Counc. Brown agreed that the council needs to do something to correct the situation and should at least consider the idea of contracting out the work.

“That’s the kind of thing that people see,” he added.

Snow removal was delayed in town when three pieces of equipment broke down after the last storm, according to Jemma Lambert, town chief administrative officer.

The plow had a flat tire over the weekend and public works staff was unable to find a replacement. The sidewalk plow had also broken down, and the new salt spreader had been ordered, but had not yet arrived.

Lambert added that no arrangements are currently in place to hire private contractors in the event that the public works department is unable to clear the streets.

“Unfortunately it was a tough situation,” she said. “Three major pieces of equipment were broken down at the same time.”

She added that a cost analysis should be first done to determine whether private contractors would more feasible in the long run.

“There’s no problem during a winter like this but, during a winter like we had last year, you’d loose money,” she said. “You have to pay a private contractor for his time, even if there’s no snow to plow.”