Blizzard Feb. 1-2 , 2011 - Cleanup

Information added February 3 at 4:00pm
Work is proceeding with snowblowers to touch up certain entrances and widen some driveways. Work is also proceeding with rakes, to remove snow from roofs and the B-unit dormer windows. This work will continue and may not be completed until Monday, I have been told by our maintenance company.

While that snow might be of concern to some residents, temperatures are predicted to peak at 30F on Sunday. So there is little concern about melting. .

As usual, I pass all of this information and more to the various board members, and to management, via email.

I have observed at least one vehicle parked on Lakecliffe that has not been cleared of snow, and in one case, is causing a possible hazard to other drivers. Our snow removal service has cleared snow from near the vehicle, but obviously, for liability reasons, the owner is responsible for clearing the remaining snow. I would hope this happens soon. Here's a photo, that "block" is actually a car!

I have been informed that some owners have been contracting to have some snow removed at their discretion. I want to remind all owners that it is my understanding that they are personally responsible for any and all payments for those services.  Any damage to the property, as a consequence of this activity, is also the owner's responsibility.

I again encourage all owners and residents to be patient. All driveways and streets were sufficiently cleared by this morning. Yesterday, Wheaton issued a bulletin which stated the entire city was using 17 plows and an additional "12 other pieces of removal equipment." We had a substantial amount of equipment here, which exceeds, on a per capita basis, the equipment serving the city streets.

On Wednesday, the city of Wheaton posted a notice on their website, declaring the following:
Due to severe winter weather, the City of Wheaton asks you to stay home except in the case of emergencies.

Today, this notice was posted on the City of Wheaton website:
The City’s primary and secondary road systems have been cleared of snow. Many of the street surfaces remain snow-packed, and the City urges you to use caution when driving on the roadways.

Obviously, our communities' streets are in better condition than that, and are not "snow packed."

 I have been in several parts of Wheaton and traversed Glen Ellyn. Travel is difficult, and at times, main routes in downtown streets are closed to traffic as plows continue to clear snow. Snow is being removed to widen the streets and again permit parking.

I am of the opinion that our crews are doing a fine job, and we are in excellent condition. If you are unhappy with the current weather, I remind all of us that weather control is not the responsibility of the association. This situation was declared a snow emergency at about 3:00pm on Tuesday. Our snow removal crews cleared streets throughout the night and so our streets were "passable" on Wednesday morning. I was able to dig out on Harrow Court and drive my vehicle through the complex at about 10:30am! Driveways took a bit longer, but all streets and driveways were cleared by Thursday morning. Not bad, not bad at all!

On Wednesday morning, I took various photos, including the situation with the dormer windows, and emailed FUPM and our maintenance company, and asked if this should be a cause for concern. This was not an emergency situation, and it's useful to remind owners that our crews had to dig out before they could deal with our personal problems.

During my walks and drive-throughs on the property yesterday, the only member of our board whom I saw walking the property was our Landscaping Director. The vast majority of owners remained indoors, or shoveled their vehicles. That was very prudent.


This post updated at 2:30pm
The snow removal service did a good job, and did complete all driveways before morning. It took a lot of work well through the night to accomplish that.

It's a bright clear day, but don't be fooled by the appearance out your window. It's frigid and cleanup continues throughout the area.

Our streets are lined with tall piles of snow, so exercise extreme care while driving here and in the city. The cleanup continues, and is not over.

Today, maintenance crews will be using snow blowers to remove snow from building entrances that were not completed yesterday. I drove the entire grounds this morning, and every driveway was cleared, with the exception of one automobile which had not yet been moved from the owners drive. That prevented the snow removal.  Most entrances were sufficiently cleared, but a few were narrow. Those will be tackled today, and if not completed, thereafter.

Crews will salt the streets today, but expect a hard freeze tonight, and slippery streets.

Maintenance will begin clearing snow from the roofs, and from the B-Unit dormer windows. Large trucks will be on the property for the next few days to remove some of the excess snow, and front-end loaders may be on site to re-distribute snow to reduce the height of some of the piles.

The street photos were taken this morning before leaving for my office. I suggest residents postpone errands for a day or so, if possible, and stay off the streets. The cities of Wheaton and Glen Ellyn continue snow removal efforts, there are people walking in the streets, including on Roosevelt Road, and some street lights are not functioning properly.

Comments, Corrections, Omissions, References

Note 1.   The information contained in this post was obtained in conversations with management, other board members, and our maintenance company. 

Note 2. Here's the latest City of Wheaton press release, concerning the snow removal efforts on city streets. I believe this was posted yesterday evening:

PRESS RELEASE

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Update on City Snow Removal Efforts

WHEATON, Ill. – The City of Wheaton has 17 plows and 12 other pieces of removal equipment in operation throughout the city clearing snow. However, whiteout conditions during the night have hindered cleanup efforts.


Main roads are the top priority for snow removal crews. Currently all primary roads are open. However, the City advises that it is still hazardous to travel. Crews are making a pass over secondary streets in order to open one lane, but with the volume of snow and continuous drifting snow, crews will require extra time to fully open these streets.


The City would like to advise residents to keep children off of streets, ponds and retention areas. In addition, contractors should not plow snow into streets.


Emergency vehicles currently have access to all locations throughout the city. In you are experiencing an emergency, call 9-1-1. 

# End of Press Release

Note 3. I'm currently at my office, where cleanup continues. We have drifts around the building that are up to 5 ft. in height. The plows could not complete yesterday. However, I do have access to my office via the front door. It will be a few days before this is all cleaned up. Here's a few photos of the side entrance. I haven't seen the rear of the building yet! These photos were taken between 12:00 noon and 2:00pm.

What a great aerobic workout!

[Comment added Sunday February 6. My personal snow removal crews returned to my office on Saturday morning, after dealing with many more urgent customers, and getting some rest. They did complete the office cleanup efforts at 12:00 noon on Saturday, just in time for the next snowfall!]

After shoveling, we were able to get to the side entrance. 

How deep was that snow? Here's a shovel included, to give some perspective.