A special six-day snow cleanup to improve conditions on local streets was welcomed by residents, but it also came at a cost.

The town reports it spent $159,000 to hire contractors for the snow removal and the funds came out of its roads reserve. That price tag doesn't include staff time or use of town equipment.

In total, 34 contractors worked with 11 roads staff members for six days, eight hours daily, starting Mar. 5 to clear the snow from 100 cul-de-sac bulbs and plow the middle of all residential streets.

With high volumes of snow and snowmelt problems anticipated when spring decides to show its face, the town implemented a pro-active strategy to provide some relief. The snow was also creating difficulties for waste collection and to emergency responders.

In total, 1,250 tandem loads of snow were hauled to snow dumps.

The town’s regular process for the snowy months is part of the snow and ice control policy: snow is plowed first from emergency routes, followed by arterial thoroughfares, collectors, designated hills and roads commonly used by emergency response personnel, the industrial area, and residential intersections connecting with arterial thoroughfares and collectors. Residential streets are not usually plowed.

The town's 2018 snow removal budget is $80,000 excluding staff time to operate the equipment, explains Laurie Drukier, the town's senior communications advisor. The budget was based on previous years historical spending and the annual average needs.

In years they use less than projected funds, the surplus is placed in reserve for winters like this.

With a few weeks of winter left, the town believes the funds remaining in the budget will be adequate to cover costs.

Heavy snowfall, though, isn't that unusual in March but warmer temperatures tend to help reduce its impact. But we are always vulnerable to heavy snow blasts, like the one that caused havoc throughout most of Southern Alberta yesterday.

Environment Canada forecasts they'll be a little more snow over the weekend, but clear skies and sunshine should return Monday.

Fortunately, today has been largely sunny and warm and many residents have been taking the opportunity to rid themselves of the white stuff from their driveways and sidewalks before more accumulates.