Published: June 14, 2022 @ 2:30 p.m.
At a Council meeting on June 13, 2022, Town of Grand Bay-Westfield Council unanimously approved the transition of contracted snow and ice control operations to an in-house model.
Beginning in the 2023-2024 winter season, staff within the Town’s Public Works Department will commence the phased transition of snow and ice control operations.
AVL Construction Group Inc. will continue to provide snow and ice control operations for the 2022-2023 winter season.
In meeting Council’s strategic priority of Organizational Capacity, the Town engaged GEMTEC Consulting Engineers and Scientists to conduct a review to determine if contracting this service remained the most cost-effective option for the Town. The review by GEMTEC Consulting Engineers and Scientists determined that performing snow and ice control operations in-house is not only financially prudent, however, this model will also provide many non-financial benefits to the community. The increased service level and organizational capacity to perform tasks year-round will provide greater flexibility in how services are provided to the community.
While the transition will increase snow and ice control costs by $160,000.00 annually, it is significantly less than the increase of $411,000.00 annually by remaining with a contracted service.
“This was not a small decision. There will be some risks, however, at the end of the day we will end up with assets, trained staff, control and additional capacity.” – Mayor Brittany Merrifield.
Council also approved the engagement of GEMTEC Consulting Engineers and Scientists, to assist with the preparation of an in-house model for the 2023-2024 winter season.
For more information:
– View the Council meeting of June 13, please visit the Town’s YouTube channel here. (Snow and ice control operations was addressed at the 37:00 minute mark of the Council meeting).
– View the Administrative Report, please visit the Council meeting agenda of June 13 here (page 8).
