If you were judging the duration and severity of what the rest of our winter might be like based on the last few months, you might think there’s not much to anticipate in the way of severe winter weather. But realizing weather conditions can change overnight even as late as March and April, in the Ozarks, the City’s Public Works Department recently developed a new Snow Removal Policy website that tells you all you will ever want to know about the City’s snow removal operations, weather alerts and how to be prepared when the next big snow or ice storm hits our area.
From MoDOT road closings, school cancellation information, and emergency numbers, to AccuWeather alerts, frequently asked questions, snow removal routes/maps, and winter preparedness tips, this website, (www.rollacity.org/snow) designed by Anne McClay, Project Coordinator, is a virtual one-stop treasure trove of weather related information.
Some of the questions you will see answered on the Snow Removal Website include: “My street has not been plowed yet, but the next street over has. When is the City going to plow my street?” Another question asks: “When the plows went by, they filled my driveway with snow. Is the City going to clear my driveway?”
The City of Rolla began operating under a revised snow removal plan during the winter of 1990, and since that time the plan has been revised on a regular basis. The most current update, November 2011, has become the basis for the implementation of this new “Snow Removal Police” website that is located on the Public Works Department homepage. By providing access to this document, it is hoped that the general public will gain a better understanding of the strategies used to maintain the streets during a winter weather event.
As we look toward March and the arrival of spring weather, I’d like to mention a few City services that will be provided in the coming weeks and months. Beginning March 1 the City of Rolla Fire and Rescue will be visiting every commercial business in the City of Rolla as part of their fire and safety inspection program. Firefighters will be conducting annual safety and familiarization inspections to ensure commercial businesses and multi-family dwellings comply with city, state, and national codes. The goal of the program is to ensure a safe atmosphere for those who work at, patronize or visit a business in Rolla. In addition, the inspections will allow firefighters to familiarize themselves with the layout of a building, which is important in case the building catches fire or incurs some type of massive damage. During the inspection, fire personnel will update contact information that is used for emergency purposes only. The inspection also provides an opportunity to interact and educate business owners of the requirements of fire and life safety issues. Training Officer Ron Smith would like to remind businesses that the visits are more than just a thorough fire safety inspection; Fire and Rescue personnel will also assist you with evacuation plans and employee safety programs. For more information, please visit www.rollacity.org/fire/fire.shtml or call the City of Rolla Fire & Rescue Administration at 364-3989.
The City of Rolla Environmental Services Department will also resume the curbside collection of yard waste in brown paper biodegradable bags on Monday, March 5. Yard waste bags (containing leaves, grass clippings and small sticks) should be out to the curb by 6 a.m. on your regular trash collection day. For more information, please contact the Environmental Services office at 364-6693 or visit the City of Rolla Website at www.rollacity.org/waste.
Enjoy the weekend and have a safe week!
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