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Winter reminders

With colder weather ahead, read these important reminders for an enjoyable winter season in Westmount:

WASTE COLLECTION
Property owners are responsible for removing snow and ice from pathways and around waste containers to ensure the safety of employees. The City’s contractors may refuse to collect difficult to access bins. Bins are to be placed on your property at the intersection with the public way. Please ensure they do not obstruct snow removal.

HYDRO WESTMOUNT — PERIODS OF INTENSE COLD WEATHER
During very frigid winter weather, when the temperature dips below -18C, Hydro Westmount asks its customers to reduce electricity use, particularly during peak periods (from 6 to 9 a.m., and 4 to 8 p.m.) to prevent overloading circuits and reduce the chance of power outages. Learn more.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
An area in King George Park is designated for tobogganing with temporary fences and hay bales at the bottom of the hill. The City also maintains outdoor skating rinks in several parks during the winter, weather permitting. Find them at Stayner, Prince Albert, King George, Devon and Westmount Parks, as well as Queen Elizabeth Gardens. Occasional closures due to weather conditions are to be expected, and will be posted on the City’s website.

PARKING 
Winter Parking restrictions are in effect from December 1 to March 31 on some narrow streets in Westmount – pay attention to the signage when parking.

When parking your vehicle in the street, please watch for signs indicating parking restrictions and move your vehicle accordingly in advance of the snow loading. Parked vehicles that interfere with snow removal WILL BE TOWED. Please note that throughout the winter, the City will not phone residents in advance to remind them to move their parked vehicles. Pay attention to parking restrictions and move your vehicle before the snow removal crews arrive. This makes a significant difference in the speed and efficiency of our operations.

SNOW CLEARING AND SNOW LOADING
Salting and plowing may take place at any time around the clock as needed. Depending on the snowfall, loading operations will require a minimum of 3 to 5 days, and are carried out according to a predetermined schedule. The priorities for snow clearing are:

  • school and daycare zones;
  • commercial streets;
  • fire routes;
  • major arteries;
  • sidewalks; and
  • slopes.

Consult the snow removal page for more information.

For a successful season, we rely on your cooperation to help keep our streets and sidewalks safe during the winter. Snow from private driveways and walkways must NOT be placed on public sidewalks, lanes or streets. During snow loading operations, snow may be added by private contractors or residents to the existing snowbanks before their removal by the City.