Cars make plowing difficult
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ST. IGNATIUS — Town officials are considering writing more stringent winter traffic ordinances after it was difficult for snowplow drivers to clear St. Ignatius streets during a Jan. 5 snowstorm because of 17 cars obstructing the roadways.
St. Ignatius council members said Jan. 6 that they would look into ways to make people more likely to follow current ordinances, which requires people to remove cars from First Street and North Main Street between Blaine and Crystal, in addition to Arrow Street, Blaine Street, Crystal Street, Diamond Street, Emerald Street, Flathead Street, and Glacier View Street from 3 a.m. until 8 a.m. The ordinance is in effect from Oct. 15 until March 15 each year, and has been a standing rule since 2001.
“The ordinance has been in place long enough,” Council member Ray Frey said. “They should know by now.”
Public Works Director Scott Morton said late Police Chief Charles Kuczynski had people following the ordinance until the man’s untimely death in late December. Morton said he thinks one person started the trend in the last snowstorm, then everyone else followed suit.
“Maybe we should pass a new ordinance that says we can tow immediately,” Morton suggested, after explaining that current rules require a warning and some notice before vehicles can be hauled off.
Officials said they would consider enacting a new, tow-immediately ordinance.
Officer Logan Martin said the fee for breaking the current ordinance is $50 the first time. The fine can increase for multiple offenses.
He also said people can send photos of cars obstructing the roadway to the police department, so the vehicles can be ticketed after the fact. Photos should include a view of the car and close-up of the license plate.
