An HRM sidewalk plow pushes a mix of snow and ice along Ochterloney Street in Dartmouth. Photo by Tim Krochak /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentHalifax Regional Municipality is not effectively managing its winter operations, HRM’s auditor general said in his report released Wednesday.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“Without adequate monitoring it is impossible to know what value HRM is getting for its winter service delivery,” Andrew Atherton said in a news release.Article contentArticle contentThe management of winter operations audit found HRM public works does not formally monitor contracted winter clearing services and in-house operations.Article contentArticle content“While third-party snow clearing contracts have adequate performance terms, management cannot objectively assess compliance with these,” the audit says. Management, instead, relies on informal monitoring with very limited useful information recorded.Article contentThe audit, which was conducted from Nov. 1, 2022, to April 30, 2024, also found public complaints regarding snow clearing services and related damage repairs are not adequately tracked to resolution. In most cases, they are closed as they are assigned to supervisory staff without followup.Article contentThe audit also showed management does not know the cost of in-house winter operations.Article content“Not knowing the total costs may limit HRM’s ability to make appropriate resource allocation decisions,” Atherton said in the release.Article contentArticle contentThe report includes recommendations, which HRM public works management agreed to implement, to improve winter season planning, hazard assessment and training.Article contentArticle contentThe recommendations include:Article contentRoads and sidewalks should be identified and prioritized for snow and ice clearing activities in accordance with the winter operations service standards.Plans and processes to carry out in-house snow and ice clearing activities, including availability of equipment and materials, should be developed and implemented.In-house snow and ice clearing activities should be monitored to ensure winter operations service standards are being met and deficiencies are addressed.Complaints related to winter operations should be monitored and addressed in a timely manner.Operations staff should have the necessary licences and training to carry out snow and ice clearing duties.Performance measures related to winter operations should be developed, evaluated and reported.Snow and ice clearing contract terms and conditions should protect the public interest and achieve “value for money.”Key contract terms should be monitored to assess vendor performance and address deficiencies.
Auditor general finds problems with snow clearing in Halifax
