Hiring someone to plow your street just got easier for Washtenaw County residents, businesses

Twisting roads through the Pittsfield Village condominiums make snow removal a challenge.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Residents and business owners throughout Washtenaw County are starting to wonder whether they should make arrangements to have private contractors plow their streets this winter.

With the Washtenaw County Road Commission cutting back on snow removal services, agency leaders say they've received a number of inquiries from homeowners associations and business parks asking about their ability to hire contractors to plow their streets.

In response, the Road Commission has announced changes in regulations for snow plowing done by private contractors on public roads.

From now on, the agency will waive the permit application fee for contractors performing snow removal services in residential subdivisions and business parks. The new policy states contractors must show proof of insurance and pay a $500 security deposit per subdivision or business park - plus $100 per mile.

Agency officials said those security deposits will be fully refunded in the spring if no damage is found during inspection of the roadways.

"This has come about by various neighborhoods - mostly commercial business parks - that have contacted us in reaction to the new standard of 4 inches," said Steve Puuri, Road Commission managing director.

Puuri was referring to the Road Commission's new policy that the agency won't send crews out on overtime to plow subdivision streets unless 4 or more inches of snow falls. The change is an attempt to cut costs in light of shrinking revenues.

One of two new snow plow trucks purchased by the Washtenaw County Road Commission this year.

The Road Commission's governing board approved the agency's 2010 budget on Dec. 15. It shows a 5 percent reduction in projected Michigan Transportation Fund revenues. Total expenditures for 2010 are estimated to be $43.3 million, compared to $44.5 million for 2009.

While the projected expenditures show only a $1.2 million decrease, that number is less than it would have been due to $3.1 million worth of projects that are being deferred to 2010, officials said. The 2010 budget and 2009 projected final budget are now available on the agency's Web site.

Puuri said if enough neighborhoods and business parks hire private contractors to provide enhanced snow removal services, that could potentially save the Road Commission money this winter.

But right now, having a private contractor on standby is mostly an insurance policy for business parks and residential neighborhoods in case publicly provided snow removal services don't come fast enough.

That's been the case for several years at the Avis Farms South business park off South State Road in Pittsfield Township. CitiMortgage, one of the park's tenants, contracts with A&H Lawn Care of Saline for clearance of the public roadways through the park.

Dennis Butler, facilities manager for CitiMortgage, said it's nothing against the county - he realizes the Road Commission has to prioritize which roads to plow first. But just in case the county's crews don't come in time, the financial institution needs a backup plan, he said.

"Reliability is a big factor. We have to have redundancy on everything," Butler said.

Meanwhile, the city of Ann Arbor has been working with residents in the Pittsfield Village subdivision off Washtenaw Avenue on a plan to enhance snow removal services there.

City Council Member Christopher Taylor, D-3rd Ward, said city officials recently reached an agreement in which the city will reimburse the condominium association for the costs of hiring a private contractor to plow the streets when 4 or more inches of snow falls.

It's a deal that makes sense, Taylor said, particularly because of the subdivision's unique layout. With its narrow, winding streets with parked cars and lack of driveways and lawn extensions, city trucks have a hard time getting in to adequately clear the streets. In the past, the city's crews have had to dump snow onto sidewalks previously cleared by the condominium association's contractor.

"I know that snow removal has been a longstanding frustration for folks in the village," Taylor said. "I'm very excited that the city and the condominium association are working together on this. I think it shows flexibility on everyone's part because what we all really want is for the residents to receive the best service possible."

Anyone with questions on the Road Commission's policy on private contractor snow plowing is encouraged to contact Matt MacDonell, the agency's permits and subdivision supervisor, at (734) 327-6688 or macdonellm@wcroads.org.

Ryan J. Stanton covers government for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.