6 results found

1. Snow plow safety and noise

   The level of service provided with winter road maintenance has greatly improved over the years, however I think collaborating with school officials in regards to school bus routes and times they start on specific roads should be considered when deciding which roads to clear first.
   I also have no idea WHY the large plow trucks need to make a right turn onto hwy 28 at 4am and then proceed to back up ON HWY 28 ( I have a safety concern with this) with the reverse ALARM going off. This is VERY annoying! Maybe the plow can make a left and turn around in their own yard. That would be more safe for any drivers on the road and less annoying for the families that are awakened.

   The level of service provided with winter road maintenance has greatly improved over the years, however I think collaborating with school officials in regards to school bus routes and times they start on specific roads should be considered when deciding which roads to clear first.
   I also have no idea WHY the large plow trucks need to make a right turn onto hwy 28 at 4am and then proceed to back up ON HWY 28 ( I have a safety concern with this) with the reverse ALARM going off. This is VERY annoying! Maybe the plow can make a left… more

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2. Winter Road Sanding

   Mar 19 2015

   Shannon Hunter
   CAO North Kawartha

   Re : Winter Road Maintenance Standards
   Part #1
   I assume you are aware, that I have brought to our Councillors attention my concerns regarding what I and others have observed as being an extreme amount of sand being applied to NK municipal roads as part of the ongoing winter road maintenance program. Without any factual data at this point, I suspect this amount of sand being applied has increased significantly over the past years and exceed both the required amounts and inconsistent with other area municipal jurisdiction.
   Prior to the newly elected council commencing their term of office, I submitted various suggested” to do” items on Nov 29 and am hoping some or all of the suggestion would be given consideration and possibly be incorporated in either the strategic plan or reflected in budget deliberation or both. I look forward to seeing the strategic plan and budget and request a copy when available to the public.
   Some of the suggestions I made offer opportunities for Council to implement cost efficiencies in the townships operations and provided tax savings without negatively impacting services to ratepayers. Little feedback has been received from individual councillors. While following the Council minutes I have not noticed any references to my suggestions or the “to do” list submission. Yes, the submission of Nov 29 was directly to Councillors elect and not through the Clerk for inclusion on a formal meeting agenda.
   Item #14 of the suggested “To Do list” related to my concerns about the amount of sand being applied to municipal road and felt this was a real opportunity for Council as a whole or individual Councillor to take a leadership role in evaluating the current practices and possibly identify cost savings in the budget development. A review of best practices of adjoining townships could contribute to the review.
   As I understand from communication from Mayor Woodcock, in response to by expressed concern about the application of unnecessary sand on a minor dusting of snow on Jack Lake road on Wed this week, that you are aware of a series of question I asked regarding who makes decisions on level of road maintenance……As I have not received any answers to these questions from the Councillor, I am now submitting these question to you.

   So who makes these decisions on level of road maintenance?
   A) Is the abnormal level of service based on a Council/Twp policy ?
   B) Is this level of service determine by the road superintendent?
   C) Is this level of service based on judgement of individual employees on roads department?
   D) I there a shelf life for the sand in the **** motivating the department before the sand gets stale?
   The final question D, I can accept may not deserve a response as I sense that sand continues to performs its intended function despite long exposure storage durations.

   Part #2
   In the Council agent for Mar 16, I became aware of the report for the office of the Road Supervisor related to Subject “ Winter Maintenance Policies and Procedures”. I found this report of direct relevance to my expressed concern regarding level of winter maintenance and was hoping to learn more about the Policies and procedures of the North Kawartha Roads Department.

   2A—Reference is made to ‘Regulations” requiring the township to perform a road patrol once per shift through winter season which runs from Oct 15 to April 15 ..therefor we ( Twp) have to hire ..? patrolman to perform this duty to meet the regulation.
   This is of great interest to me. I am anxious to learn more about this unreasonable regulation- can you pleases provide me with a copy of this regulation or simply direct me to a link in which I can obtain this as it does not appear to be reasonable. I can understand under certain climatic conditions major high volume public highways may have certain patrol requirement s..but I would assume local roads are not in the same class and such onerous patrol requirement would not be so stringently defined. The NK municipal road which I travel most often on is Jack Lake Road. Can you advise if the section from the Marina to FR 52 has a classification assigned.
   2B I noticed in the report that the patrolman does the parking lots –so while I think of it does the cost of snow removal for parking lots get allocated to the operational budgets of the library and community centers?

   2C Reference is also made to situation where Municipal Minimum Maintenance Standards dictate a level of service that each jurisdiction has to follow.
   I find it difficult to accept that any such standard would require that NK apply the amount of sand to our roads as is the current expensive practice. Can you please provide to me with a copy of the reference Minimum Maintenance Standards
   2C The final statement “ Since the year 2009, we have met or exceeded the standards in 298 consecutive winter events.
   So what is a winter event?--on Wed this week was the dusting of snow on the Jack Lake Road a winter event?
   
   If there is in fact a Minimum Maintenance Standard applicable to say Jack lake Road within jurisdiction of NK –and that standards identified that snow removal and or sanding should occur when snow accumulates to a certain depth –say three inches—yes the North Kawartha Roads Department can tabulate a further credit for exceeding the standards when they install another generous application of shelf fresh sand to a minimal dusting of snow as shown in the picture above.

   I look forward to working with you and Council addressing my concerns on this matter. Receipt of the requested answers and information is a first step in both understanding and finding a resolution to what I see as an opportunity for improved efficiency in our winter road maintenance program.

   Ambrose Moran
   Interested Taxpayer and advocate of value for tax dollars

   Mar 19 2015

   Shannon Hunter
   CAO North Kawartha

   Re : Winter Road Maintenance Standards
   Part #1
   I assume you are aware, that I have brought to our Councillors attention my concerns regarding what I and others have observed as being an extreme amount of sand being applied to NK municipal roads as part of the ongoing winter road maintenance program. Without any factual data at this point, I suspect this amount of sand being applied has increased significantly over the past years and exceed both the required amounts and inconsistent with other area municipal jurisdiction.
   Prior to the newly elected… more

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3. Memorandum

   Memorandum

   To: Council of the Township of North Kawartha
   From: Gord Lamb, Clark Breuls, Ray Eaton
   
   Date: May 14th, 2015
   Subject: Use of Sand for Winter Road Maintenance

   We understand that the topic of the use of sand for winter road maintenance is currently being discussed, and although none of us are qualified experts on the subject, as local residents and tax payers we would like to weigh in on the subject.
   As frequent travels on local County and Township roads all of us are appreciative of the excellent job the Township of North Kawartha Roads Department performs maintaining these roads to ensure our safe travel. Despite this we have concerns and increasing frustration on the excessive amount of sand that is being used throughout the winter.
   We recognize under specific conditions sand provides improved vehicle traction on snow and ice covered roads, especially with the cold temperatures we experience that significantly reduces the effectiveness of de-icing chemicals such as salt. Despite this, excessive usage of sand, along with the salt that is mixed with it to prevent the sand from freezing, has several detrimental results. These negative effects can be summarized in three high level categories (Cost, Environmental Impact and Corrosive and Abrasive Impact on Personal Vehicles).
   
   Cost: on the surface one could argue that the cost savings from reducing the amount of sand/salt used is small and will not impact the overall road maintenance budget in any significant manner, but the costs go well beyond just the reduction of the raw material. There are other less obvious costs, including but not limited to; the cost to store the sand/salt in cover facilities, cost to truck and load the sand/salt, accelerated deterioration of road surfaces and steel structures, sweeping (and potential pickup and proper disposal) of accumulated residue in the spring (as the sand actually has a detrimental impact on traction on dry roads especially for two wheeled vehicles such as bicycles and motorcycles and is an environmental hazard) and the cost to purchase and maintain Roads Department equipment. PLUS associated with most of these additional costs is the labour, of which makes up the majority of the township’s budget.
   Environmental Impact: due to rain and spring runoff, some of the sand/salt can make its way into our lakes and streams. It can also cause soil and vegetation damage as highlighted by a recent court ruling that awarded an Ontario farmer more than $100,000 for damages he claimed were caused by the local government's use of road salt. And most recently, documented concerns have been raised in regards to air pollution from particles less than 10 microns from winter abrasive use.
   
   Corrosive and Abrasive Impact on Personal Vehicles: yes, unlike the other concerns listed above, this is more of a personal concern we have. The effects of sand/salt on a vehicle can be devastating, not to mention costly. Even with diligent attention to washing, waxing and undercoating, the value and longevity of a truck or car can be significantly impacted from the excessive use of sand/salt.
   
   We respect that there are properly educated and experienced individuals responsible for determining what is best for maintaining our roads. What we are asking is for the use of sand/salt to be limited to parts of the road where motorists must brake, accelerate, or maneuver (intersections, hills and curves) and to reduce the amount used in these areas to the minimal levels necessary to be effective.
   
   It has also been rumored that the speed limit on County Road 54 (Balmer Rd.) will be reduced to 50 km/hr. If this comes to fruition, we hope that this will also be taken into consideration when determining the rate of sand/salt to be used.
   Thank you for listening to our concerns and we hope that you will take into consideration these concerns and look at altering past practices.

   Sincerely,
   Gord Lamb
   Clark Breuls
   Ray Eaton

   Memorandum

   To: Council of the Township of North Kawartha
   From: Gord Lamb, Clark Breuls, Ray Eaton
   
   Date: May 14th, 2015
   Subject: Use of Sand for Winter Road Maintenance

   We understand that the topic of the use of sand for winter road maintenance is currently being discussed, and although none of us are qualified experts on the subject, as local residents and tax payers we would like to weigh in on the subject.
   As frequent travels on local County and Township roads all of us are appreciative of the excellent job the Township of North Kawartha Roads Department performs maintaining these… more

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4. Sand Bare Pavement

   April 20 2015
   Shannon Hunter
   CAO North Kawartha

   Re: Winter Road Maintenance Standards- The Sand Job!
   This is further to my letter to you of Mar 20th including questions A B & C and your same day response to the specific questions.
   My Letter PART #1
   Question A
   Your response indicated that the townships level of road services is based on Township Road Bylaw 10/99 and Ministry’s Minimum Maintenance Standards which I have now reviewed and respond as follows:
   The Township Road Bylaw 10/99 was passed in March 1999 by the Township of Burleigh Anstruther and Chandos, after amalgamation but prior to the municipality being renamed North Kawartha. This bylaw is in need of updating. The road classifications in this bylaw conflict with the Peterborough County Road Department’s understandings of road classifications. One example is the County has advised me recently that County Road #52/Jack Lake Road is Class 4 whereas township bylaw appears to indicate M5 in their bylaw. Possibly this township road bylaw in fact preceded the County taking over responsibility for certain roads in the Apsley area from the Township and Province.
   Back to the real issue of me questioning who decides to sand a dusting of snow and ploughing minimum accumulations of snow.
   Township Bylaw 10/99 section 2.3 Snowfall Accumulation specifies the allowed accumulation of snow on a road way as being maximum 15cm ( 6”) and provides for a maximum lag time of 1 day for a class M5 road which applies to Jack Lake Road near FR 52 where I previously provided these included pictures.
   According to Township Bylaw 10/99 section 2.5 Localized Snow should be removed within a maximum lag time of 2 working days and max 30 cm is allowed ( 12”) for a class M5 roads which applies to Jack lake Road near FR 52.
   So obviously, the in effect by township road bylaw 10/99 does not set a maintenance standard which would require the either ploughing of 1” of snow on Saturday Mar 21 or sanding a dusting of snow on Sunday Mar 22
   So let’s look at The Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways Ontario Regulation 239/02
   According to the Provincial Minimum standards regulation, resources are to be deployed to reduce the snow to a depth less than or equal to 10 cm ( 4”) for a class 5 roads.
   So in accordance with BOTH the township’s road bylaw and provincial standards there is no requirement to
   • Plough 1 “ of snow on a Class 5 Roads
   • Sand dusting of snow on Class 5 Road
   I am satisfied that my previously express concerns regarding excessive winter road maintenance cannot be justified by any Council member or township management staff based on in effect township bylaws or provincial regulations.

   My Letter Part #2A
   In the Council agenda for the Mar 16 2015, the township road superintendent made referenced REGULATION requiring the township to perform a road patrol once per shift through winter season from Oct 15 to April 15 and I requested and you provided me with a copy of the Regulation and classification of the section of Jack Lake from Marina to FR 52. You advise me that this road is classified as M5 and directed me to the Provincial Minimum Standards which I have reviewed.
   In my letter to you of Mar 22, I did question the report of the Road superintendent indicating what appear to be ridiculous that “ ….Regulations required us to perform a road patrol once per shift through the winter season which runs from October 15 to April 15” Therefore we have to hire patrol man to perform this duty to meet the regulation.

   According to the provincial regulations, the minimum frequency of patrolling a Class 5 highway is once every 30 days. Reference Table 3(1) of the regulations you provided.
   The only reference I have been able to find to a performance requirement from Oct to April is under section 3.1 Weather monitoring. In this section, from October 1 to April 30, the minimum standard is to monitor weather, both current and forecasted to occur in the next 24 hours, is once per shift or three time per calendar day………”
   Your township bylaw section 1.10 Road Surface General Inspection indicate that roadway authority is obligated to know the condition of its roadways and sets out criteria for inspections. Under ambient conditions a M5 roads should be inspected at maximum cycle of 1 month and under storm conditions maximum cycle is 1 week. So with proper understanding of our own township road maintenance bylaw we may not need to hire a patrol man. I would assume road patrols are included in the job descriptions of existing roads department staff.
   So in accordance with township road bylaw and provincial standards
   • Township does not need to hire a patrol man to patrol our roads each shift between Oct 15 to April 15

   Conclusion
   The stated patrol, requirement and excessive winter maintenance practices cannot be justified based on current township laws and provincial regulations

   We must find the appropriate level of service base on practical economics and sound risk management practices taking into account and being guided by best practices of other are municipalities.

   The existing township winter road maintenance practices significantly exceed township and provincial requirements , and can best be described as the GOLD STANDARDS, which are not in my opinion sustainable.

   Ambrose Moran

   April 20 2015
   Shannon Hunter
   CAO North Kawartha

   Re: Winter Road Maintenance Standards- The Sand Job!
   This is further to my letter to you of Mar 20th including questions A B & C and your same day response to the specific questions.
   My Letter PART #1
   Question A
   Your response indicated that the townships level of road services is based on Township Road Bylaw 10/99 and Ministry’s Minimum Maintenance Standards which I have now reviewed and respond as follows:
   The Township Road Bylaw 10/99 was passed in March 1999 by the Township of Burleigh Anstruther and Chandos, after amalgamation but… more

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5. I think N.Kawartha is doing a great job. if anything less salt for the enviroment and use sand only.
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6. Improved weather awareness

   Under certain winter storm conditions the Northy's Bay Rd and the Cheboutequion Rd are covered in ice and dangerous.
   The roads department should act more proactively to change this condition before it becomes dangerous.

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