Winter is a time when we enjoy beautiful snow-covered country landscape, white-dusted trees providing shelter for hardy birds and squirrels, and the cold-weather sports of skiing, tobogganing, and the occasional friendly snowball fight.
It’s also a time when we’re all tasked with dealing with the snow that falls on our driveways, walkways and town streets. While the Town of Oxford has the larger job of dealing with snow accumulation on streets and sidewalks, homeowners also have responsibilities to ensure their properties aren’t presenting a safety hazard. The 2023 Winter Snow Clearing Bylaw (summarized below) covers the particulars —including to make sure that icicles that may appear on gutters and overhangs are dealt with if they pose a threat to pedestrians. Fines for non-compliance run between $200 and $5000.
Before getting down to business at the December Town Council meeting earlier this month, Oxford Mayor Greg Henley took a moment to caution local residents regarding winter parking. The Mayor said that the last time snow fell in the town, a number of vehicles had been left out on the street, making it difficult for the Public Works crew to do their job of cleaning the streets. He advised that if vehicles on the streets were in the way of snow-clearing operations, towing is very much on the table, saying there’s “no sense in making their job more complicated.”
Our town crews and homeowners will have ample opportunity this weekend to test their mettle against the oncoming storm, forecast to begin in our area after midnight Friday, and continuing through Saturday, with a total of around 25cm on the way.
In June of this year, the Town of Oxford published the ‘Walk and Wheel’ Oxford — A Scoping Assessment: Findings Report created by researchers from Dalhousie University. Snow-clearing was one of the points of interest:
In this document, the Town commits to creating an inclusive community and removing barriers to people living with disabilities. Common areas for improvement identified through this plan were a need for more accessible parking spaces, access into the Oxford Area, cracked or uneven pavement as a barrier for people with visual impairment and people using mobility devices, poor drainage and snow and ice build up along pedestrain routes, and poor street lighting.
Snow as a challenge to persons facing mobility challenges was identified in the Town’s 2023–2026 Accessibility Plan:
Winter Maintenance upgrades, for example clear snowbanks where crosswalks are designated and adopted Snow Removal Policy that reflect priorities of safe snow removal for public safety and accessibility.
In terms of what Oxford residents can expect from the municipality in terms of dealing with snowfall, here is the 2023 Snow and Ice Management Policy. As one might expect, the priorities for snow removal on town streets prioritize the main access routes, extending to secondary streets as crews are able to reach them. Access for the Fire Department and to fire hydrants are also at the top of the list, as are sidewalks in the school zone and the core district, including the Medical Centre.
And once the town crews have done the work of clearing sidewalks and streets, it’s our turn! Take a moment to consider those who have difficulty in walking on the best of days. A ridge of snow from your driveway across the sidewalk is enough to present a barrier to someone in a wheelchair; using a cane; or with a non-visible physical challenge. Sometimes all you need to do is take 30 seconds, a few swipes with a shovel, and you’ve made someone’s day significantly easier.
We’re all members of this community — lend a helping hand when you can.
ANY YOUNG (or not) FOLKS AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH SNOW CLEARING? POST YOUR CONTACT INFO BELOW!
Town of Oxford Winter Parking Restrictions
November 15 – to April 15
- Overnight parking is prohibited and Winter parking restrictions for the Town of Oxford are in effect.
- Winter parking restrictions also apply during the daytime hours when a snow event is imminent or occurring.
- For everyone’s safety, please avoid parking on the side of the streets at any time during this period to allow for timely and sufficient clearing of snow and ice from the traveled portion of roads, streets, and sidewalks.
- Parked vehicles on streets interfere with efficient snow removal operations. Vehicles interfering in this process may be towed at the owner’s expense.
- Residents are also asked to remove any items that are close to the road that may impede snow removal processes. For example, basketball nets, toys, decorations, piles of fill, etc.
- Snow is not to be pushed into the street by homeowners or private contractors while in the process of removing snow from a residence or business.
