Public Works crews are getting ready for what could be an incredibly busy day or days for those in the snow removal business.
“In a major storm like today, there will be staff working and staff on standby,” said Tanya Vrebosch, the Chair of Engineering, Public Works and Environmental Services.
“A supervisor will be monitoring the weather and call staff in as needed.”
Environment Canada has issued a Winter Storm Warning which it predicts could put down a blanket of 20 to 35 cm of snow beginning tonight in the North Bay area.
Vrebosch says the late winter and green Christmas has been very kind to the 2015 snow budget.
“Last year we depleted our reserves as we were over budget by well over $600,000,” she stated.
“The mild second half of the year has been good to us. Prior to the winter storm expected today and tomorrow the city was predicting a surplus.”
Vrebosch adds that during the last snowfall the city had about 20 employees out on the roads in trucks and sidewalk plows.
“In recent years we have had budget constraints and we have cut back on salt use, but I can assure you that we do everything in our power to maintain the roads according to the regulations and most of the time we far exceed the regulations,” said Vrebosch.
Regardless Vrebosch asks North Bay residents to be patient.
“Sometimes we have to redo Lakeshore Drive several times before we can get to some of the side roads,” she said.
“It depends on how fast the snow falls.”
