Port Moody is hoping residents will pitch in to help keep the city’s walkways clear when the snow starts flying this winter.
And to acknowledge the shovelling efforts of volunteers helping out their neighbours in need of assistance, it’s launched a new Snow Stars recognition program.
Nominees who’ve been approved by the city’s community services department will receive a letter of thanks and a special Snow Star toque.
Port Moody has budgeted $299,000 for snow removal in 2021, an increase of 7.5% over 2020.
Since 2017, the city has imposed greater maintenance requirements of pedestrian areas adjacent to critical transportation infrastructure, like sidewalks along busy transportation routes such as St. Johns and Murray streets, as well as Clarke Road, along with bus stops and letdowns. Owners of properties along those routes must have snow cleared by 10 a.m. each morning or they could be fined $100 for a first offence, $150 for a second violation and $500 after that. If the city ends up clearing the walk, the property owner could also be billed for those costs.
As well, Port Moody’s own snow clearing crews give first priority to arterial routes, as well as pedestrian routes within 800 metres of the Inlet Centre and Moody Centre SkyTrain stations, crosswalks, letdowns bus stops, sidewalks, pedestrian overpasses and walkways.
Meteorologists are forecasting a snowier and colder winter than usual in Western Canada because of La Nina conditions in the Pacific Ocean where the surface temperatures are a few degrees cooler than normal.
To nominate a Snow Star, go to portmoody.ca/snowstars.
