Garfield lists snow removal quibbles

With snow on the retreat around the county, resolutions to several snow-related issues in Garfield may be solved by Mother Nature, for the time being.

Complaints and questions from residents about snow removal were heard by the town council Jan. 11 and Jan. 25. Issues concerned lack of plowing on Seventh Street, a street which Councilman Mark Young hired someone to plow where his mother-in-law lives. Another question was why the town does not maintain alleys.

“The simple fact is this is a snow year from hell,” said Mayor Ray McCown as part of the discussion.

In comments Jan. 11, McCown asked the council if they would like to change the alley policy, and the answer was no.

Sandra Cavallo, a Garfield resident in attendance at the meeting, brought up the alleys matter, saying that because of the snow, she had to walk three blocks after finding a suitable place to park.

Young noted that he felt the Public Works Department was doing the best it can in the conditions, and that he did not feel the council should change anything. Councilman David Jones agreed.

Public Works assistant Mark Phillips said later in response to complaints about berms that he had run out of additional places to put snow.

The snow situation has also made garbage collection take up to three days in Garfield, Phillips noted.

Councilman Neal Leon missed the discussion Jan. 11 due to being called in for snow removal work.

Also in January, Phillips cleared a spot at the town park parking lot for about five vehicles for people needing places to park.