The Joint Council and Whitewater Unified School District school Board Meeting had their first combined meeting this month on Oct. 11. The meeting lasted around 15 minutes and community members were in attendance both in person and virtually through zoom.

During the meeting, members of the meeting discussed snow removals by allowing the city trucks to be on school property during Christmas break. As the weather is approaching the winter season, it is important to prepare for the worst weather. The projected snow this year is supposed to be higher during late November to early December, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. 

“They wouldn’t be there to plow rather than pay them someone to come in overtime, our trucks would just be swinging and making a spot,” said council member James Allen on the topic of how the snow removal will be during Christmas break.

Members were confused about this situation since there are basketball games and other sport events during the winter break season and there wouldn’t be enough time to plow the parking lot. It is important that the community is able to continue with activities throughout the breaks in school, as they need to remain active. 

Allen also explained that “all we ask is that you just don’t plow that area and leave the piles right around it.” Allen spoke on the behalf of the students, parents, and community members that would enjoy not wrecking their car during this harsh winter season. 

He explained that it might require the school district when they come in later at the time with a frontend loader, which the school does not have at the moment. The meeting also discussed how people should be snowplowing their driveways and sidewalks. 

But the requirement to be able to snow plow must be under two inches. Anything under two inches can be shoveled off safely onto the grass or on the edge of the road. 

According to the City of Whitewater, “the City of Whitewater uses a 23.3% solution of salt brine before a forecasted winter storm.” This information is important to know because it is a common misjudgement that we use full salt. 

The Wisconsin Salt Wise Partnership urges homeowners and private contractors to make a commitment to reduce salt use this winter. By using too much salt, it harms the wildlife, pollutes our water, damages buildings and rust vehicles, roads and bridges. 

Once people might think it’s gone, it really isn’t. It travels into our lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands, putting aquatic life at risk and endangering freshwater resources. 

Salt also alters the composition of soil, slows plant growth and weakens the concrete, brick and stone that make up our homes, garages, bridges, and roads. 

Some helpful tips to keep Whitewater’s streets and sidewalks clear, some simple steps are shown. 

First, shovel. By clearing your driveway and sidewalks, less ice and less salt will be used. Second, sweep excess salt from walkways and parking lots after a snow event, especially before a rain event to prevent salt from washing down the storm drain to our waterways. 

The City of Whitewater invested in a brine system which has reduced the amount of salt needed on the streets and monitors the amount of salt used. Each of us can do our part to protect our water and soil too. 

The meeting can be viewed at vimeo.com. The next board meeting will be on Oct. 23 at 6:30 p.m. For more information and meeting schedules, visit the Whitewater government website.