Residents press council on snow removal and a water workshop; mayor praises public works and first responders

Residents used the public-comment period at the Jan. 28 special council meeting to raise two recurring concerns — snow removal that leaves obstructive mounds at driveways and scheduling of a previously discussed water-supply workshop — and to highlight a fire-department graduation. The mayor used his remarks to provide a winter-storm update and publicly thank city crews and partner contractors.

Seth Johnson, identified as representing the fire department, opened public comments with an invitation: “we have our graduation for the largest recruit class Georgetown has ever had … Next Friday, I believe, February 6 … at 6PM,” and asked council members to let staff know if they plan to attend so a seat can be reserved for distinguished guests.

Dan Holman, a Georgetown resident, commended the city’s snow response overall but said concentrated mounds near driveways — especially on Bridal and Broadway — are making it hard for some residents, particularly older neighbors, to get out. He urged the council to prioritize scheduling a water-supply workshop that had been discussed previously so citizens can ask questions in a workshop format.

Steve Price, another resident, urged the city and utility (GMWSS) to encourage household rainwater collection to reduce demand; he described attending a GMWSS meeting and said officials asked for more data. Price added a political note: “If I get elected, my first effort will be to cause water mandatory water purchase from GMWSS to be changed from mandatory to optional.” That statement was made during public comment and attributed in the transcript to Price.

In his remarks the mayor gave a storm-status report, saying Georgetown saw a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain that he estimated at “somewhere between 4 to 5 inches” of snow plus sleet and emphasized the strain of prolonged freezing temperatures on deicing materials. He praised Public Works under director Robert Bruin for prioritizing primary streets and then secondary roads, and thanked partner contractor Hinkles for donating equipment and manpower to assist snow removal.

Why it matters

Residents’ comments highlight recurring operational concerns that affect day-to-day mobility — sidewalk and driveway clearing, and emergency access — and call for a public workshop on water supply that councilmembers and staff previously discussed. The mayor’s public gratitude underscores the city’s reliance on both municipal crews and private partners during winter emergencies.

What council asked staff to follow up on

Councilmembers and residents asked staff to schedule the water-supply workshop as soon as practicable, and expressed interest in hearing a plan for reducing snow-mound hazards in neighborhoods. Staff acknowledged the requests and said they will coordinate the workshop and continue snow-clearing operations.

Next steps

Staff indicated they will pursue scheduling the water-supply workshop, provide follow-up on project timing and return updates on snow removal operations in subsequent meetings.