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<br />1 Adopted by City Council on 28 September 2020 <br /> <br />CITY OF ORONO <br />SNOW AND ICE <br />MANAGEMENT POLICY <br /> <br />September 28th, 2020 <br /> <br /> <br />1. Introduction. It is among the responsibilities of the City of Orono to manage snow and ice on City <br />streets and public property under the City’s jurisdiction. The purpose of this document is to set policies <br />for how the City will fulfill this responsibility and to identify those City officials and employees who are <br />authorized to set subordinate policies and make judgments in the course of carrying out snow and ice <br />management activities. Setting policies for snow and ice management involves balancing the following <br />priorities: <br /> <br />A. Public safety. The safety of those traveling by motor vehicle, on foot and by other modes of <br />transportation is of high priority. The goal of the City is to provide for surface conditions that are safe for <br />travel in consideration of surrounding conditions and circumstances. However it is not possible or <br />practicable for snow and ice to be fully removed from all surfaces or prevented from accumulating on <br />surfaces. The City encourages and expects that City residents and other members of the traveling public <br />will at all times conduct their activities mindful of conditions, hazards, and what is necessary to remain <br />safe. <br /> <br />B. Personnel safety. City personnel incur risk by their presence on public ways while managing <br />snow and ice. The safety of City personnel as well is of the utmost importance. <br /> <br />C. Environment. Materials to maintain or improve surface traction contribute pollutants such as <br />sand and chlorides to surface waters and to City stormwater basins and other facilities, which in turn can <br />increase the cost of maintaining those facilities. It is important not to use an excess of these materials. <br /> <br />D. Cost. City funds are limited and taxpayers require that they be spent cost-effectively. It is not <br />possible to address all snow and ice issues simultaneously and completely. <br /> <br />E. Adaptability. Particularly with respect to effectiveness, cost and environmental consequences, <br />snow and ice management is a realm of innovation. It is important that City policy allow for personnel to <br />maintain awareness of developments and allow for practices to be adjusted as appropriate. The public <br />must practice due care given the continuously changing hazards presented by natural snow and ice <br />concerns. <br /> <br />2. Responsibility for Private Roadways, Parking Areas, Sidewalks, and Trails. The City is not <br />responsible for snow and ice management on any roadway or parking area not owned by or dedicated to <br />the City except as may be provided in a legally binding, written acceptance of that responsibility in the <br />context of a development approval or otherwise. It is the responsibility of the resident and/or property <br />owner to remove all accumulated snow from all other sidewalks along public streets adjoining their <br />property. This includes any snow plowed from public streets onto the sidewalk. <br /> <br />3. Staff Responsibilities. Authority with respect to snow and ice management decisions is delegated as <br />follows: