Bay Roberts tries a new approach to clearing cul-de-sacs

By Mark Squibb/February 17, 2022

Bay Roberts will try a new-to-us method of snow clearing on the Sparke’s Place cul-de-sac following a request from a resident.

“We had a resident who wished us to clear the cul-de-sacs a little bit differently,” said Director of Public Works Sean Elms. “We discussed it with our outdoor supervisor, and they’re going to try it and see how it goes. So basically, they’ll pile the snow up in the middle of the cul-de-sac and they come back at a later date and pick it up and get rid of it. So, the guys will try it and see how it goes.”

Mayor Walter Yetman explained the request arose after plows had blocked a resident’s access to a propane tank.

Councilor Perry Bowering asked if other communities use similar snow clearing methods.

“This is something that’s tried elsewhere, it’s not something we came up with?” asked Bowering. “It works in other towns?”

Elms said that is correct.

“We don’t want to frighten the daylights out of anyone by piling the snow up in the middle of a cul-de-sac and they don’t know what we’re talking about, but it’s something that will work, the immediate driveways in the area will be cleared and it’ll taken away after,” said Bowering.

Deputy Mayor Geoff Seymour added that, for lack of a better word, it is a pilot project.

Councilor Dean Franey noted that when he lived in St. Johns, he lived on a cul-de-sac, and that was how the city cleared snow.

“They basically piled it up the middle, and came back for it,” said Franey. “The biggest thing is making sure you come back to get it.”

Bowering allowed that if it is left for any amount of time and gets very high, children on the street will love it.

If the method works on Sparkes, the Town will look at clearing all cul-de-sacs in the same manner.