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This forum is a sounding board for a range of issues facing eastern Boulder County. I will prompt discussions with my posts and elected officials can tap into the concerns of citizens here, and explain their rationale on decisions. Follow along with the latest discussion by checking the list of recent comments on the right. You can comment with your name, a nickname or anonymously if you wish. You can become a contributor as well. Thank you for your comments!
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Friday, January 05, 2007

Message From Erie Mayor Re: Snow Removal

Below is a memo from Erie Mayor Andrew Moore regarding his concern over snowplowing efforts by his town staff. Having driven the rutted and packed neighborhood roads this past week in Erie, he is to be commended for calling for a public accounting of capabilities. As far as I can tell he's the only East BoCo official to do so. Kudos to him!

FROM ERIE MAYOR ANDREW MOORE:
(Friday, January 5, 2007, 6:00 AM, I added the bolding)
Our residential streets have started the melt off causing deeper ruts and a more challenging situation. Our plows were out today testing the efficiency of plowing the slush that has formed above the ice. The plows were not very effective as the blades would catch the ice below the slush and bend under. Our crews are out working where they can and are placing sand on primary and secondary streets with focus being on school bus stops, intersections, hills, and curves. The crews will continue to deal with the ice and snow tomorrow and over the weekend if necessary. Similar situations are occurring all over the front range in residential areas. As an example I saw a UPS truck in Boulder using chains.

Although the weather event was exceptional I am not satisfied with the overall capability of our response. At the our Board of Trustee meeting next Tuesday (1/9) at 7:00 pm at Town Hall (645 Holbrook), I've asked for an assessment of the snow removal situation from our Town Manager and Director of Public Works. We will be transparent on what happened, what our capabilities are, and what our options/costs are to expand snow removal capacity in the future.Most appear to realize the that we received more snow in December than we have in a century, truly causing a unique situation. Maybe there is not much more that can be done without significant taxpayer cost.

Then again, I'm a believer most processes can be continually improved. If you would like to listen in on this discussion, please attend our Board meeting next Tuesday. In the meantime here is pertinent contact information:- Road Safety Issues: Public Works - 303-926-2880- Erie Police: 303.926.2800 (911 for emergencies)- Click Here For Snow Removal Maps and Policy. Please be safe, and courteous to others, as we work through this together.

Best Regards,
Andrew
303.482.3037

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