Plowing to remain same in Oswego, despite protest
By Jenette Sturges jsturges@stmedianetwork.com February 6, 2013 1:48PM
Updated: March 8, 2013 7:39AM
Plowing out cul-de-sacs will remain a lower priority for the village of Oswego after a few flurries, village trustees said at a meeting Tuesday night.
The Oswego Public Works Department received between 25 and 30 calls from residents complaining the cul-de-sacs had not been plowed following recent snowstorms, according to Public Works Director Jerry Weaver.
Oswego has hired a contractor to plow cul-de-sacs during storms of two inches or more snow — freeing public works employees to concentrate on clearing major and secondary arteries — but recent storms have dropped far less than two inches of the white stuff at a time, he said.
“We did get a couple calls on cul-de-sacs,” said Village President Brian LeClercq. “One person ... he said he was stuck in his cul-de-sac with three-quarters an inch of snow.”
Public works employees did plow cul-de-sacs on Monday during regular business hours, to clear the pavement without incurring overtime, Weaver said. He also said the village regularly salts cul-de-sacs during storms that bring sleet and freezing rain.
Police Chief Dwight Baird said that the current policy of plowing cul-de-sacs only after two inches of snow did not pose a public safety risk.
Trustees made no motion to change any policies relating to snowplowing and cul-de-sacs Tuesday night.
“This sounds to me like it’s much ado about nothing because for the most part people can still get out of their driveways,” said Trustee Scott Volpe.
