Private Snow Removal
In effort to best serve Lamont County residents, Council has recently made amendments to the custom snow plowing/grading on private driveways (Residential Snowplowing: Policy #5100).
Medically Fragile
County residents who are medically fragile and/or require at home medical services on a regular basis will receive the service on a reduced basis. This is only provided subject to provision of an doctor's note (annually) and also be recorded separately so that a flag is not required. The service provided for medically fragile is $100.00 +GST /season.
Seniors (65+)
The service provided for seniors (65+) is $200 +GST /season and will be recorded separately so that a flag is not required. This service will only be provided after all roads have been opened and medically fragile residents’ driveway clearing has been completed.
Regular Flags
All other landowners/designates have the opportunity to buy flags at $125 +GST /each flag (Regular Flags, per one-time use).
For snowplowing purposes only, if four extra flags are posted, County forces will clear snow for agricultural purposes. This is to the equivalent of a maximum of one hours’ work (not including time spent clearing the driveway).
1 flag – Driveway cleared only;
4 flags – For agricultural purposes; or
5 flags – Both driveway and for agricultural purposes.
The service provided for the driveway clearing will be the distance from the County right-of-way to the residence and supporting infrastructure and back to the right of way. Service will be initiated subject to a flag placed at the entrance of the property unless the resident is a senior, medically fragile or requires at home medical services.
Please note: time spent on driveway clearing is a maximum of 30 minutes per clearing. This is due to the sheer volume of requests. Public Works receives approximately 120 driveway clearing requests, including church clearing requests per snow event. If your driveway is cleared of snow prior to Public Works driveway clearing arriving, please also let us know so we can efficiently clear all requests in a timely manner!
During a snowfall event, the County will use the following order of priority for snow removal (connecting roads with a lower priority will also be treated for efficiency purposes):
a) Emergencies (Ambulance, Police, Fire, Utilities);
b) Major collector roads and Hamlets;
c) Bus Routes;
d) Minor collector roads;
e) Local roads (e.g., Dead End Roads, etc.);
f) Private Driveways;
g) Public Facilities as requested (churches, cemeteries, community halls);
h) Snow removal from approaches (including snow ridges that may have accumulated
on approaches); then
i) Private approaches (if not done as part of snow clearing) and unmaintained road
allowances used for agricultural purposes, on a per request basis as equipment and
resources are available.
1. Where can I purchase a flag?
2. How much does a flag cost?
3. How many can I buy at once?
4. What if I want more than the driveway cleaned?
- 1 flag - Driveway one cleared;
- 4-flags for Ag purposes; or
- 5 flags both driveway and Ag purposes.
5. Where do I place the flag?
6. Do the flags expire?
7. Can the flag be used summer or winter?
8. Can my neighbour use my flag?
9. If I move from the County can I return the flag?
10. If the grader has gone past my driveway and has not done my driveway what do I do?
11. Does the County provide a senior’s rate for snow removal?
12. Who is eligible for reduced rate driveway snow clearing (medically fragile)?
13. If I am a senior or am eligible for the medically fragile program will I need to put up a flag?
14. What are the priorities of the grader operators?
a) Emergencies (Ambulance, Police, Fire, Utilities);
b) Major collector roads and Hamlets;
c) Bus Routes;
d) Minor collector roads;
e) Local roads (e.g., Dead End Roads, etc.);
f) Private Driveways;
g) Public Facilities as requested (churches, cemeteries, community halls);
h) Snow removal from approaches (including snow ridges that may have accumulated
on approaches); then
i) Private approaches (if not done as part of snow clearing) and unmaintained road
allowances used for agricultural purposes, on a per request basis as equipment and
resources are available.
15. What constitutes an emergency?
16. What are the land owner’s responsibilities?
- To be prepared to sign an annual agreement and clearly mark on a map provided (by the county) any obstacles.
- Land owner is responsible for any damage done to landscaping or amenities (a hold harmless notice in included in the agreement). Lamont County will not be sending crews out in the spring to replace gravel from lawns to driveways, or to roll back sod that has been pealed.
- Ensure there is enough room to accommodate the grader.
- The driveway must be staked out and problems/concern areas clearly marked.
- Residents are responsible to be prepared during periods of significant snowfall or weather circumstances, it may take 7-10 days before all roadways and driveways are plowed. Residents should always be prepared with a basic emergency kit and other preparations such as backup fuel, food, water, medications, etc.).