The Town of Parry Sound declared a “Significant Weather Event” on Tuesday.
Dave Thompson, Parry Sound Fire Chief, says that means normal levels of service standards the town usually sees may not be met.
“For instance, the plows are out operating on the roads full-time right now. However, that does not mean that they’ll be able to maintain the same standards as what the residents usually expect. Public Works has declared that significant weather event and it will remain in place until the crews can catch up so that they feel they can maintain the minimum standards that are required by the town,” he says.
Thompson says the main things affected will be roads, sidewalks, and parking lots. He says officials suggest residents consider staying at home and avoid any unnecessary travelling.
“I do just want to touch base with regards to treating all the people who are operating plows, be that municipal employees or private employees, with respect. They’re doing a job and clearing the roads off to the best of their ability and dealing with the parking lots,” he says.
Thompson says no one likes to have a pile of snow put at the end of their driveway immediately after shovelling it, but we need to treat each other with respect and understand that we all have a job to do. He says no one’s trying to create more work for each other.
“It’s just the situation means there’s a lot of snow to move and we appreciate everything that the plow operators are doing and keeping the roads clear,” he says.
According to the town, the event will be declared over once staff are able to cope with the volume of snow and have had an opportunity to return to a normal level of service.