by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWTER REGION (Foresters Falls) — Whitewater Region Councillor Daryl McLaughlin may be hoping it’s not a snowy winter.
Following the decline by township public works to do snow shovelling at the Foresters Falls branch of the Whitewater Region Library, he volunteered to do the job himself.
The discussion of winter maintenance on the walkway, ramp and entrances at the Foresters Falls branch of the township library occurred at a special council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 29.
Physical Services Manager Janet Collins received a letter from Debbi McLaughlin, Chief Executive Officer of the Whitewater Region Public Library, explaining issues it has had in the past with snowplowing in the front and rear of the Foresters Falls library.
There were snowbanks that did not leave enough room for patrons to park and the front sidewalk was not passable, Ms. McLaughlin informed council via the letter.
Part of the letter reads, “After both the plow and the sidewalk clearer had been by, there were large snowbanks left. This was an obstacle to our patrons in trying to park their cars in front of the library as well as manoeuvring over the snow banks. Is it possible for the truck to clear out the front area so that there are no obstacles for our patrons to get into the library?”
The letter continued, “We would also like to ask if there is a possibility of the driver of the truck shovelling the walk to the library. The librarian in Foresters Falls is no longer able to do that and we have had no luck with students needing community hours.”
In a report to council, Ms. Collins noted board member Gwen Bennett telephoned her requesting that the township complete shovelling at the rear entrance, the ramp and the stairs/walkway to the library.
Ms. Collins addressed the concerns to council. As for pushing snow further back onto the back lawn, there is a concern damage could be done to the septic, since she is not aware of the exact location of it. She suggested the board place granular material at the rear of the library to increase and stabilize the parking area.
As for clearing snowbanks from the front of the building, she noted the County of Renfrew plows the roadway and the township provides sidewalk clearing. They may not take place at the same time, so getting rid of the snow bank right away may not be a possibility. She noted township staff remove the banks on occasion with the snowblower and tandem trucks, but only when it’s been judged on the amount of snow, future snow events and available staff and time.
Snow was also pushed to the back or down to the rear of the firehall, but with people now parking on the street and in the driveway shared with the library and the neighbour, that’s just not always possible, Ms. Collins said.
“Staff will attempt to stack the snow a little steeper in order to provide increased parking width adjacent to the driving lane along Foresters Falls Road,” she wrote in her report. “This will however increase the bank on the passenger’s side. Passengers however could be dropped off prior to parking of the vehicle.”
As for shovelling the walkway to meet the library’s hours of operations, Ms. Collins noted routes may need to be altered with respect to the library’s hours of operations and if a snow event were to occur.
“Staff recommend the Library Board seek assistance elsewhere, either through contracted services or on a volunteer basis.”
She also suggested the board place plywood adjacent to the ramp which may reduce snow build-up along the ramp and the front stairs/walkway could be boarded-up during the winter months to eliminate access and potential slip-trip hazards.
Ms. Collins also provided other considerations, such as noting this is an increase in service level; will service be required throughout the storm event; will service be required outside of normal operating hours; and should this service be offered to all municipal facilities equally, which also includes the Beachburg Medical Centre, four water and wastewater treatment plants, five fire halls, arenas/community centres, etc.
In reviewing the financial implications, Ms. Collins noted in the report that each time the plow attends the Foresters Falls Library to clear the driveway and rear lot, the estimated cost is $26.86. The actual plowing takes approximately 15 minutes if completed during the regular route. However, if separate plowing would be required, there is an extra 30 minutes for travel time.
To shovel the rear entrance, ramp and front stairs/walkway will take about 20 minutes, which is an additional $17.91, Ms. Collins said.
Councillor Charlene Jackson recalled when that building used to be the former Ross Township office, and office staff, or the reeve, would do the clearing, not the roads crew.
Coun. McLaughlin said, “The librarian can’t do it. She’s 65 years old.”
He noted the board has not been successful in finding a student who needs community hours to graduate from high school or who wants to make a few dollars.
Coun. McLaughlin questioned if there was money in the municipal budget to purchase a shovel and he would do the shovelling himself.
Coun. Jackson suggested the library budget to purchase a shovel and hire someone to do the shovelling.
Finishing the conversation prior to a vote taken that the library do its own shovelling with just one nay, Coun. McLaughlin said, “I’ll donate the shovel and do the shovelling myself.”
