Heavy snowfall and continued winds this winter have posed some challenges for the RM of Stanley. With keeping the roads open because of snow or the wind blowing snow back onto the roads the public works crews have been kept busy all winter.

"There wouldn't have been more than three days this winter that our equipment has not been out working, not leaving much time for repairs and maintenance. This winter has certainly reinforced to us the importance of our equipment renewal program and ensuring our equipment is ready to move when needed," explained Deputy Reeve Peter Froese.

With the equipment out and about nearly all the time, it doesn't allow much time for maintenance and repairs if needed. CAO Dale Toews stated the RM can certainly feel the financial impacts of when the equipment is out moving as much as it has been. He notes at this time it's too early to know how the budget will be impacted.

As the winter is seemingly winding down in spurts the municipality has been changing gears from ridging snow in fields to alleviate snow drifting to all hands on deck for opening drainage paths.

"Our public works staff have been doing a fantastic job out there, from digging us out of the heavy snow to getting roads opened up under some difficult conditions and now getting water moving, can't say enough about the hard work our guys are putting in," said Froese.

Froese noted it's important to allow water to flow where it needs to go, but also key to control the speed at which it is doing so. He added water flowing too fast could cause some challenges for Stanley's neighbouring Municipalities, which they don't want to happen.

The RM has employed the help of several contractors along with the RM equipment to open drains and culvert crossings as needed. There are risks in opening all drains too quickly a full month before the normal melt.

"We want to be careful not to open up too much too quickly, as cold temperatures could come and that will cause culverts and crossings to freeze up quicker than if there was still a layer of snow insulating them. In many areas, the water is running underneath the snow cover and that is good to have in case we get a cold spell," Froese

The RM would also like to hear from its constituents regarding how everything is going. Froese explained there were a few places where water had been running over the road, but those are all taken care of.

With the temperatures going back down to freezing, many of the RM roads have frozen in a very rough condition and so caution is advised when travelling throughout the RM.