Snowblower at Buck's Summit
This
month didn't yield much sunshine; during the month we saw average
temperatures down to single digits in some areas , changing to forty
degrees for morning lows with the rain. We had rain or snow just about
every day for the month. The snow we received during the first part of
the month (up to nine feet) was all but gone because of the rain and
warm days. By the end of the month, the snow pack was back to being
better than average.
On December 7th Public Works was
successful in gaining support from the Board of Supervisors to fill
seven of the thirteen vacancies. When these positions are filled, each
crew will then be short one full time employee with the exception of the
Beckwourth crew; they are still at full staff with five employees. A
special thanks to CAO Jack Ingstad and the Honorable Board of
Supervisors for their support in being able to realize the safety and
production issues at the staffing level prior to this vote.
The weather cooperated on the 14th and 15th
allowing for our Management Staff, including crew Supervisors and
Leadworkers to attend a Leadership/Supervision Training Program (LSTP)
meeting held at the Fairgrounds and presented by Gene Herndon from
Trindel Insurance Fund. This type of training is required for all
employees that supervise other employees and is in place to help ensure a
safe work place for all.
On the 17th, reacting to concerns
from the National Weather Service, the Plumas County Multi-Agency
Coordinating Group held a meeting to discuss emergency preparedness and
organizational responsibilities for the upcoming weekend predicted
Pineapple Express. During the next two days Plumas County received 10
to 12 inches of rain that was much less than predicted but still caused
some localized flooding as the snow pack dissolved.
The next few storms that moved through the area
brought heavy snow, with the ground now saturated several trees uprooted
falling onto houses, power lines and roadways. The heavy snow is more
difficult to plow, creates larger berms for residents to deal with and
kept the crews busy attempting to clear the roads snowmobile trailheads
for the increased holiday traffic
Happy New Year.
