Snow Sidewalk Cleaning Proposal Considered In Halifax

Snow Sidewalk Cleaning Proposal Considered In Halifax

A sidewalk in the Halifax Regional Municipality community of Armdale, just plowed, as seen in 2010. Photo: Flickr user meddygarnet

OFFICIALS WITH the Halifax Regional Municipality are considering a proposal to include residents in the peninsula when it comes to the city plowing sidewalks.

Linda Mosher, a councillor representing the Armdale community, said there were barriers for 25 percent of the whole of the city. “Other major cities such as Montreal, Calgary, all sidewalk clearing is cleared by the city. It’s a 100 per cent municipal mandate,” Mosher said according to a report from the CBC.

City spokesperson Shaune McKinlay said most communities have the service paid for through tax area rates. “The proposal has been looked at by council, but it couldn’t happen until we look at what the possibilities are for area rates.”

Jennifer Watts, a councillor representing the Connaught-Quinpool community on the peninsula, said residents have concern, and added they said they could do a better job than the city. “Sometimes the concern is that people don’t want to have the increase in tax,” Watts said according to the CBC. “Others are saying that we do it much faster, much better.”

McKinlay added that there is a new budget approaching, which will begin deliberations in April. It is not clear afterwards what timetable it would be if it gets the okay from officials.

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