When it snows lend a hand

On Christmas weekend, the local weather went from delightful to frightful and most of us were caught off guard by the snow turned rain turned ice when the weather turned cold. City plow and grader crews did an outstanding job as usual, but some of us citizens did not do our part.

We hope to remind residents of their responsibility after a snow event and suggest the idea of helping our neighbors applies. There is a protocol for plowing and sanding in the city.

City ordinances require the owner, occupant of person in charge of any building in Superior are responsible for cleaning the adjacent sidewalks. People are required to clear snow and ice to the width of the sidewalk within 48 hours of a snowfall, and keep those walks clear.

The snow removal isn’t just for your safety, but that of the mail or newspaper carrier and anyone else who may need to walk there.

Also, remember to shovel out your garbage and recycling cans if you want them picked up.

People are reminded also that placing snow on streets, alleys and sidewalks is prohibited. People clearing away any accumulation of snow must have it hauled away at their own expense.

When the code compliance officers get a complaint about lack of snow removal on sidewalks, she will check the property and send a notice to correct if necessary. The expectation is sidewalks will be made passable.

Other cities have a formal program called “snow angels” or something similar. Superior has many good neighbors and civic-minded citizens willing to lend a hand so let’s think of it as ‘people helping neighbors,’ especially those who may be elderly or disabled or just need our help.

Here is one more word for parents of children who walk to school. The Metropolitan Interstate Council has a plan for Safe Routes to Schools available at www.dsmic.org/documents/Plans%20and%20Studies/Pedestrian/SR2S_Superior_FINAL.pdf.

Parents should check out the routes for their students, and students should walk on the sidewalks on these routes to get to school and home again safely.

Residents, please do your part to keep these sidewalks clean.

The Superior Public Works Department strives to plow city streets in order to maintain adequate traction for vehicles properly equipped for winter driving conditions. The priority is placed on the city’s hospital emergency routes as well as arterial and major collector streets, with the remaining streets being divided into six residential plowing districts. This process begins on the priority routes when we have snow accumulations of two (2) inches and more is expected. Crews may also apply rock salt and/or sand to street surfaces depending on temperature and ice conditions; these help in removal of compacted snow and also provide greater vehicle traction in areas such as intersections.

In several places within the city, there is a very limited amount of storage area for plowed snow before vehicular and pedestrian traffic is hindered. Generally, these areas are those with sidewalks constructed immediately adjacent to the curb with larger street widths as well as wider sidewalks. These streets were constructed to create more lanes for higher traffic volumes. Because storage is limited, Public Works will come back and haul snow away when priority and residential plowing is complete. These areas generally include the business district, emergency routes, and the East Second Street corridor.

Snow is a fact of life in Superior. Our taxes pay for plowing and sanding. Our diligent crews work very hard to accomplish this and do a fine job.

If we all do our part to remove snow from sidewalks, and perhaps help a neighbor or two when needed, we will truly be living up to our name, Superior.

Tags: guest editorial, opinion, superior