The Township of Wellington North maintains 390 kilometres of roadways and 334 fire hydrants—135 in Arthur and 199 in Mount Forest. With the recent heavy snowfall, we're working hard to clear roads and hydrants. Please do not pile snow on roads or sidewalks (per the Highway Traffic Act). If you can, help by clearing nearby fire hydrants. It’s a small task that makes a big difference in keeping our community safe. Thank you for your support!
Did you know?
The Township of Wellington North has three types of roadways, each maintained by a different authority for snow removal:
- Municipal Roads: Maintained by the Township of Wellington North
- County Roads: Maintained by the County of Wellington
- Provincial Highways: Maintained by the Province of Ontario
It is illegal to dispose of snow onto any roadway.
- Under Section 181, of the Highway Traffic Act, No person shall deposit snow or ice on a roadway without permission in writing so to do from the Ministry or the road authority responsible for the maintenance of the road.
- Do not deposit snow onto the sidewalks when clearing your driveway.
Unassumed roads do not have snow removal services from the Township.
- If you live on a road that has not been assumed by the municipality, it is the responsibility of the developer to provide snow removal services to that roadway.
Overnight parking on any roadway in the Township of Wellington North or municipal lot is not permitted from November 1st to March 31st.
- When you park on a roadway or in a municipal lot, not only are you impeding snow removal activities, you are also in violation of the law. "Under the authority of the Highway Traffic Act, any vehicle parked or abandoned on any township road allowance so as to obstruct snow removal equipment in their operation may be removed at the owner’s expense. The Township of Wellington North and/or its employees will not be liable for any damage done by snow removal equipment to vehicles parked on the road allowance or damage caused by removal operations." The County of Wellington Parking By-Law.
Winter Control Program
The Township is committed to ensuring safe travel during winter months by implementing a comprehensive Winter Control Program. This program covers the clearing of all roads affected by snow, sleet, and freezing rain. It may also include the application of sand and salt to improve road conditions. Our Transportation Services team works diligently to ensure roads are cleared efficiently, with a special emphasis on maintaining safe travel conditions during morning commuting hours.
Sidewalk Snow Removal
In addition to road clearing, the Township also takes responsibility for snow removal on public sidewalks. However, during heavy overnight snowfalls or extreme weather conditions, snow may accumulate until the storm ends before snow removal efforts begin.
Access for Emergency Services
Our emergency services partners are prepared to respond to safety concerns during all kinds of weather and road conditions. County and Township road crews are on standby to assist emergency services get to properties when the conditions are challenging. There are also contingency plans using personal snowmobiles or a UTV to access hard to get areas. This is also true for ambulance and police services.
Municipal Act, 2001 - Ontario Regulation 239/02: Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways
Ontario Regulation 239/02 under the Municipal Act, 2001, establishes minimum maintenance standards that municipalities must follow to ensure the safe and efficient operation of municipal highways. These standards outline the required response times and procedures for addressing road conditions such as snow and ice removal, potholes, and other hazards. The regulation helps maintain road safety, outlining expectations for municipal road maintenance while allowing flexibility based on the type and use of the highway. Municipalities are required to implement these standards and monitor road conditions to protect public safety and minimize liability.
Thank you to all residents that help keep our community safe by helping clear the sidewalks!
Contact information:
If you have a question about snow removal activities on municipal roads, please reach out to the Township at 519-848-3620 or email township@wellington-north.com
For information or about County Roads, please visit the County of Wellington's Snow Removal webpage
For information on provincially managed Highways, please visit the MTO website, where they list the contact information for each highway. (Provincial highways in Wellington North are maintained through the Owen Sound region)
