More snow removal services could cost you more than $150 per year in Brampton

Feedback has the city thinking about adding to its snow removal program, including windrow removal and sidewalk clearing at an added cost to residents.

Thousands of Brampton residents tuned in to a virtual town hall on Wednesday night with Mayor Patrick Brown and city council members to give their thoughts on the current state of snow removal in the city and hear about possible expansions of the program.

Based on the public input from the approximately 7,700 guests, the city will consider adding a windrow service (to remove the small snow piles left at the end of a driveway by a passing snow plow) as well as sidewalk clearing.

But those additional services wouldn’t come free of charge.

The city says adding windrow services would come at an average cost of $128 per household every year, while adding expanded sidewalk clearing services would cost an average $31 annually.

Some 61 per cent of the attendees said they’re happy with the city’s current operations, with 39 per cent saying they’re dissatisfied.

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Residents were also split on the addition of new services, with 44 per cent in favour of sidewalk clearing but only 33 per cent saying they want to add windrow removal.

Over the last few years, the city has launched initiatives and programs to help residents deal with snow removal – like expanding the Snow Removal Financial Assistance program to renters, and the city’s real-time snow plow tracker.

The financial assistance program was only open to seniors and people with disabilities up until this year, but council made changes so people who rent homes can also apply for up to $300 for snow removal, or up to $400 for corner lot properties.

The city thanked all the attendees for their feedback, which will help Brampton “make informed decisions on next steps.”