City crews will begin plowing snow at 3 inches, not proposed 6 inches

Bonners Ferry city officials have decided to continue plowing with snow 3 inches of accumulation and not the 6 inches proposed last summer.

During budget talks, it was proposed that plowing wouldn’t begin until at least six of snow had fallen.

“When we told people what we planned on doing, they objected,” said city administrator Stephen Boorman.  “After we heard from the people, we decided not to change it.”

In past years the general rule is for city streets superintendent John Youngwirth to start plowing by 3 a.m. if there are 3 inches of snow.

It is a judgment call Youngwirth has to make very early in the morning, and timing is always a factor, Boorman said. 

Bonners Ferry received about a total  8 inches of snow Tuesday and Wednesday of last week. 

Tuesday morning Youngwirth had checked outside around 2 a.m. and the accumulation was under 3 inches, by the time he was out and about more snow had fallen that anticipated according to Boorman.

“This is why downtown seemed to have more snow than usual it is all about timing,” Boorman said.  The trick for John is he has to get the snow removed before cars are parked downtown.”

When snow fell last week Boundary County Road and Bridge Superintendent, Jeff Gutshall found himself plowing snow.

“We have not changed our policy at all; we just cover the territory and do the plowing as it goes,” said Gutshall.  “It is kind of pointless to do the plowing when the snow is under 3 inches, but we do our best to hit every territory.”

According to Gutshall, they have enough manpower to cover the 240 miles of roads, which includes small roads and regular routes.  If someone gets sick or the department is shorthanded it might take a little longer until they find people to cover the territories.

“I normally don’t do plowing myself, but I am out here today doing it,” Gutshall said on Dec. 15 when the area got its first significant snowfall.  “If you feel like you have been missed, don’t get mad just give us a call and we will get to it.”

Boundary County Road and Bridge 267-3838.