Catch the drift: not all Aurora residents are willing to pay for windrow clearing

Aurora council has yet to decide whether to implement a $1.5M windrow-clearing program

Yorkregion.com
January 30, 2019
Teresa Latchford

Aurora resident Larry Abas is encouraging the town to consider alternatives to a tax-supported windrow removal service.

The topic of whether town employees should be used to clear that heavy, slushy or sometimes frozen line of snow at the end of residential driveways left behind by snowplows has been discussed by council twice this month and still awaits a final decision.

“It seems unfair that those who wouldn’t be using the services, like those in condos or apartments, have to pay for the service,” Abas said. “Also, many of us are able to clean our own windrow.”

Service levels and timing also have to be considered, since most people would want the windrow removed by the time they go to work, so many would be clearing it themselves.

Having said that, Abas is aware that there are segments of the older population and those living with a disability, or someone who is temporarily out of commission due to illness, who could use the help. This would lend itself more to a town-run pay-per-use service, he said.

“I’m a fan of it being town-run, as it could be cheaper than trying to hire a private company to do it,” he added.

A staff report recommended the Town of Aurora not proceed with the windrow-clearing program.

The proposed service could cost the town an additional $1.5 million or more annually to clear the windrows of about 18,900 residential driveways, according to Aurora’s acting roads manager, Jim Tree.

“Costs do not include the capital costs that would be incurred in purchasing the specialized equipment required to facilitate the program,” he said.

The windrow plows would be separate from existing snowplows and follow behind them.

Due to a limited number of town staff and resources, the service would most likely include striking a deal with outside contractors to fulfil service levels.

While a number of York Region municipalities have been exploring the idea of offering windrow clearing, the City of Vaughan is currently the only one that offers the service. That decision was made following a public meeting where residents supported the two per cent tax hike to pay for it. Vaughan pays $4 million annually to provide the service.

Markham offers the program at a cost of $75 per household, but it is exploring a rebate program to allow residents to hire someone and be reimbursed rather than managing the program on its own.

Aurora Coun. Michael Thompson pointed out that since its program was implemented, Vaughan has reported an increased service level from residents, damage to property frontages caused by blades and interference with waste pickup. The equipment is also hindered by parked vehicles.

There is a 14- to-16-hour window for snow to be cleared, and clearing windrows in addition to streets and sidewalks would slow down clearing services considerably.

“I’m glad to see the (staff) recommendation is not to proceed, but I also think that while some of the conversation should be around the cost, some of it should be around service levels,” Thompson said.

Coun. Wendy Gaertner suggested the possibility of having a one-year trial, and Coun. Sandra Humfryes thought it would be a good idea. Gaertner also suggested a public referendum be held in 2020 to determine whether the public supports a windrow-clearing program.

Coun. Rachel Gilliland was concerned about further burdening taxpayers, especially seniors and others living on a fixed income.

There was a discussion surrounding public input and a suggestion that a public survey be conducted before council make a final decision.

Both Mayor Tom Mrakas and Coun. Harold Kim had concerns about basing a decision on a public survey.

Mrakas felt if the survey was conducted while it is snowing, people would say yes but might answer differently if it were conducted in the summer months.

This isn’t Aurora’s first kick at the can when it comes to offering this service. In 2008, the town gave the thumbs up to move forward with a windrow-clearing service for 250 senior citizens and residents living with a disability, with a price tag of $130 per household. The cost was to be solely covered by those who registered for the program.

In April 2018, following a significant snow event, Mrakas, at the time a councillor, took an informal poll on Facebook and concluded that of the 733 people who voted, 80 per cent said they would be willing to pay for the service.

However, recent comments on the numerous Aurora social media Facebook groups indicate many residents would rather pick up their shovels than have their taxes raised.

The report was referred back to staff to include revisions in an updated report at the request of Coun. John Gallo and will be brought back to a future meeting.