10/20/2009 12:27:00 PM Plans for winter shape up Mayor asks that parking remains off street if possible
Patrick Whitehurst/WGCN
Snow plow operators work to dig out Route 66 during a Dec. 18, 2008 snowstorm. City planners are already preparing for the 2009-2010 winter season in Williams.
WILLIAMS - As Halloween looms closer and residents begin to think about the coming of winter, city officials have already begun to plan for what could be a snowy season. According to Williams Mayor John Moore, city crews have already met for their annual snow preparation meeting and are currently making plans for snow removal, particularly in the event of a larger than average snow season.
"I met with them and listened to their program and one of the problems they have is vehicles on the street. We need to try and make a concerted effort this winter, if we have snow, to get the vehicles out of the way so the snow plows can get through. We're going to push really hard to do that," Moore said.
There are some areas, however, where vehicles have no other alternative than to park on the street.
"Where it is at all possible, we ask that people get their vehicles off the street. It takes the street department less time and lets them do a better job if they don't have to work around vehicles, not to mention that sometimes they accidentally strike one," Moore said. "If you think it's going to snow and you can get your vehicle off the street, try to do it. That's our plan for snow removal."
Over 20 inches of snow fell over Williams in a three-day period in December of 2008. Last year's snowstorm forced a number of closures throughout the community, including schools in the area. Snow shovels became a rare commodity in the city, with stores running out and others charging close to $30. There are no guarantees, Moore added, that Williams will receive as much snow as it did in 2008.
"If we get hit like we did last year, it's going to be a big financial burden on the city. We've already started cutting budgets and laying people off, so money is going to be an issue for us," Moore said. "Last year, that was one of the biggest snow storms that we've had in years. We were somewhat prepared for it, probably not as prepared as we should have been. Just like everything else, you get lax when you don't have to do it for a while and that's what happened there. I thought the guys did an excellent job, but they finally wore down and we had to go out and get some help to come in and do it. Larry Pittenger's and a bunch of other haulers came in to help us. So we were able to do it, but it was expensive."
This year's winter season will mark the first year for snow removal on Route 66 since it became a one-lane road. The main strip through Williams was changed earlier in the year from two lanes to one in an effort to expand parking. Moore said the first year would include a bit of experimentation when it comes to determining the best removal effort.
"They'll actually move the snow quicker than they normally do," Moore said. "It may be that they push it all to one side and keep one lane and parking open on the other side. It's new for them and new for us, so we don't know how it's going to work. Parking will remain the same and we'll experiment to see which way works best for snow removal."
This year, Moore said that city officials have already begun to advertise for extra snow removal operators.
"If our trucks get to the point where they are no longer able to drive, or are tired, then we will bring in some extra truck drivers to try and fill that void," Moore said. "Snow is important to us. We need it for the moisture content and we need it for the drinking water. On the other hand, when it snows we have to move it off the street. It's a difficult situation sometimes to get it done. On one hand we want it gone and on the other hand we need it."
