Response Regarding Snow Removal
Author: J.B. Howick
Clarification about Snow Removal
Oscar Wilde once said, “The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.” He's right, even though sometimes being talked about is frustrating. I've had customers ask me about last week's article, “Curbside Snow Piles Hazardous to Townsend Shoppers” (Dec. 9, 2022) and I need to make some corrections and clarifications.
First, I was credited as having said, "in December of 2021 an agreement was signed between Broadwater County and the City for the City to borrow snowplow vehicles from the County to plow city streets if the snow reaches 18 inches or more deep." I did not say that and I do not know who did.
Second, I approached the city in late 2019 for permission to move the snow from Broadway to Pine and Spruce streets. City Councilman Urich had forgotten that. It wasn't an ideal solution, but my available resources didn't permit a better solution. The article led me to ask the Mayor if he didn't remember that conversation. He and I spoke for some time. Ideally, the snow I remove would go to city property west of the railroad tracks — but my skidsteer isn't large enough to do that safely or effectively and I don't have a dump truck. However, on November 30th, Townsend Hardware bought 214 Broadway. We don't have immediate plans for the building, but we are using the rear parking area for pallet storage. I'm happy to move the snow to that location until I can figure out how, if necessary, to move it to the property mentioned by the Mayor. (If anyone has a dump truck and can periodically volunteer to haul a load of snow, that would be appreciated!) Third, I was interested to learn from the article that private individuals are required to obtain a permit to remove snow from Broadway. This is my fourth winter removing snow. I've never received a complaint from MDT other than when they thought I was blowing snow from the sidewalk onto the street. Once I explained I would be around with the skidsteer to pick it up, they left. It's no secret that MDT and I share no love for one another and I've no evidence that MDT wouldn't complain if they felt it was in their best interest — but it isn't. Why complain when someone else is doing your job for you?
People should understand that the problem is not where on the street MDT should plow the snow, the problem is removing the snow. If MDT plows to the side of the road, parking and the sidewalks become dangerous (and it violates the Americans with Disabilities Act). If they plow to the center, it makes driving on the street and crossing the street dangerous. It's a lose-lose situation either way because all the snow is still there. So, what to do with the snow? The state won't remove it and it's unreasonable to expect the City to clean up the mess without raising taxes.
But here's the rub: I have senior citizens carrying 40+ pound bags of birdseed out of our store. It's true that my liability as a business owner concerns me. But what really keeps me up at night is the thought that anyone using our store might get hurt just because no one is willing to take responsibility for removing the snow.
Harry S. Truman was once as frustrated with federal bureaucracy as I and others are with state bureaucracy. In his spirit, I proclaim that the buck stops here. MDT won't. The City can't. So I will. MDT might not care about Townsend and its residents, but I do. I'm happy to work with the City and speak with any concerned citizen about my continuing efforts to clean the snow from the 200 block of South Broadway. What I do will not be perfect, but the option today is that no snow is ever removed. And that's unacceptable. -JB
-- JB Howick Townsend Hardware 204 Broadway St, Townsend, MT 59644 (406) 266-5588 FAX (406) 266-9965
