In this edition of “Ask Matt,” Matt Broom, Hot Springs Village POA Public Services Director, answers a question about snow removal.
Resident: I am curious about the criteria used to prioritize snow plowing, sanding, and de-icing. I pay assessments like everyone else, and it seems my street is never touched or last on the list. Can you please tell me why this is?
Matt: Thank you for the question. Winter storm events such as this one may not seem very uncommon. We, of course, deal with annual storms, but our winters don’t justify a heavy investment into a larger fleet of snow removal equipment. When we encounter snow or ice accumulation, we utilize our equipment to ensure life-safety personnel can navigate the Village by clearing major roads first; then, we begin addressing our secondary streets. We have crews working around the clock on 12-hour shifts to make sure all residents can be reached by emergency services if needed. We understand that not all storms are the same, and we must adapt accordingly with the resources we have on hand. After these events, we look at the processes we can improve on and make sure we are taking the best approach, from preventative measures to the final days of snow removal. With solid preparation and communication, we are able to provide these services without having to own ten plow trucks. If there is a specific request for a local street to be cleared, we make an effort to have it addressed timely, but we have to ensure all arterial and collector streets are passable first.
Click here to contact the HSV Gazette.
Click here to join our private Hot Springs Village Property Owners Facebook group. Be sure to answer the entry questions.
Click here to visit the POA website – Explore the Village.
Before retirement I was in Billins Montana from Jan-June, tons of snow, other than city employees, citizens were allowed to clear any streets they wanted with their personal plows they had on their trucks and ATV ‘s, the village allows golfcarts to run everywhere and a fast one is about 25 mph, Most ATV’s will safely run posted speed limits in the village, if they are operated safely by a leagal age person they should be also allowed to run in village, they would really be handy on snow days and it would not cost the poa a penny for free labor and equipment
A friend who lives up north commented that there are non-toxic materials that they treat the road with when they know a storm like this is coming. I wonder if that would be cost-effective for us. It would certainly help with the after affects as the snow would melt faster, I believe. I just wanted to mention it for your consideration if no one else had.
I just want to leave a shout out to the POA snow ploy team that did our street yesterday about 2-3 o’clock. My husband was out shoveling snow from our driveway and the team must have thought he looked stressed or was having a problem. (He was not). They stopped to talk with him for about 2 minutes but asked 3 different times if he was okay. It is nice to see that with all the work and 10-12 hour shifts they have been doing they still took time to check on us elderly residents. I believe our POA employees are the best. Thank you!