Snow removal at seniors apartments a concern, says local woman

Published on January 28, 2014 Department of Community Services says clearing walkways a priority

Reading about seniors killed in a Quebec fire, Julie Martin, couldnt help but worry last Thursday as she heard of snow covered walkways at residences where her own relatives stay at.

ADAM MACINNIS THE NEWS

These steps to Hillside View were blocked by snow last Thursday afternoon after a heavy snowfall on Wednesday.

Her mother in law lives in a seniors complex on Little Harbour Road, which after Wednesdays blizzard, still had many of its entries blocked by snow Thursday afternoon.

This isnt the first time this has happened. Its not right, Martin said. Its dangerous.

She said for essentially two days, many of the seniors were trapped in their homes.

Elizabeth MacDonald, communications advisor for the Department of Community Services, responded to a request from The News for what the policy is on snow removal at seniors apartments.

We understand that residents of all our properties need to feel safe during and after a storm, and that they expect us to ensure snow removal is done in a professional and timely manner, she said. That is our priority and we take this obligation seriously.

She stated that the policy for snow removal for properties managed by the Eastern Mainland Housing Authority is that parking lots are cleared by a private contractor who goes out to clear when two inches of snow has fallen; if the snow falls overnight they are to have the parking lots cleared by 7:45 a.m.

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Snow removal at seniors apartments a concern, says local woman