The City of Parsons has recently adopted a formal snow removal plan. The City is responsible for snow removal of the street system for the motoring public. It is the intent of this plan to reduce the threat to public safety during  winter weather events. As part of this mission, the Public Works Department spreads salt with cinders in icy and snowy conditions and utilizes snow plows, graders and trucks to mitigate hazardous driving conditions during a snow event.

During inclement weather the City of Parsons will make every effort to maintain the traffic flow as normal as possible. However, motorists must remember that snow or ice in any amounts should be respected and the safest approach is not to travel on untreated roads if at all possible. If a person must travel, we urge slow speeds, cautious driving, and allowing plenty of travel time as the best defenses against an accident. 

The City of Parsons maintains an inventory of seventeen pieces of specialized equipment available to clear snow and ice on established snow routes. A total of twenty-two city staff and Correction Camp workers (if available) will be organized to work extra hours including past midnight, depending upon the time of the initial snow fall and severity.

A set of priorities have been established for the opening and plowing of streets based upon emergency services, major arteries and the location of schools. These initial areas will be cleaned in the following manner:

Road Graders:

1. Emergency Services - Fire, Police, & Emergency Medical
2. Schools (including LCC)
3. Downtown Area - Belmont to Washington, 16^th to Central, & Katy Drive
4. Access to Nursing Homes

Trucks with Plows:

1.      Highway 59 & Main Street

2.      32^nd Street, Southern, 13^th Street (Southern to Main), Dirr (16^th to 18^th), Central (Belmont to Stevens).

3.      Appleton (13^th to 32^nd), Crawford (16^th to 32^nd), 26^th Street (Southern to Northern), Northern (21^st to Hwy 59), Jothi Drive (32^nd to Hwy 59), Lincoln (Steven to Northern), 35^th (Main to Southern), Briggs (32^nd to 26^th)

4.      Industrial Parks

Some streets will require plowing several times, depending upon the severity of the storm. This process will block driveways and pack in vehicles parked on the street. When a severe snow fall is forecast, it is advisable for residents to remove their vehicles from the streets and public parking lots in as much as possible.

Driveways may be blocked during snow removal operations, however we attempt to minimize this as much as possible. All residential property owners are responsible for clearing their personal driveways. Until formally adopted, City staff is working under the approach of clearing driveway entrances on plowed streets only when plowed rows of snowfall or ice make it difficult for individuals to enter and exit driveways. This should occur when the area receives four or more inches of snow accumulation or two inches or more of ice accumulation. 

All sidewalks adjacent to private property are the responsibility of the property owner. The City's responsibility is to plow the streets and keep them open to traffic. Due to the location of some sidewalks and the volume of snow being moved, there will be occasions where the plowing operation may deposit additional snow onto the sidewalks. It is still the owner's responsibility to move all snow from their sidewalk.

When the National Weather Service forecasts a heavy snow fall, individuals should plan ahead to collect necessary food supply, medicines, pet food, batteries, shovels, etc. and limit travel only in necessary situations. All area cancellations are posted on local television and radio stations.

With the exception of emergency requests from Police Dispatch, individual requests for the plowing of certain streets or areas cannot be taken. The City will only begin clearing residential streets once safe travel can begin on the priority routes listed above. Clearing of residential areas will be done in a manner that promotes the safe drainage of melting snow and maximizes the efforts of City crews. 

In cases of life sustaining treatments, such as chemotherapy or dialysis treatments, city crews will open driveways to the property line only. All other types of emergencies should be directed to 911. A regular medical appointment or work assignment, other than a medical personnel needed at the hospital, does not constitute an emergency.

We hope this policy will help residents understand the actions of the City in its efforts to keep the City operational during adverse winter weather conditions. The City asks for your patience in dealing with major weather events, such as large snow events and significant ice accumulation.

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