From the Office of the Mayor – Acknowledgement of the Public Works Department

February 14, 2025 

On behalf of Council and the Municipality of Mississippi Mills, I would like to acknowledge the exceptional work by the Public Works team. This week has been unusual, following Friday night’s fire at the Ramsay Public Works garage, yesterday’s Significant Weather Event and another heavy snowstorm anticipated this weekend. It has meant long days all week, with more long days yet to come. 

Although our Public Works team has responded to many unpredicted incidents in the recent past: the derecho, high winds and flash flooding, Friday night’s fire hit differently. It hit home. Situations like these either bring a team together and show how well they perform or pull a team apart. I know I speak for Council when I say how very proud I am of how the department and all members have responded, worked together, and carried on. 

Many members of the Public Works team were scheduled to be in last weekend for winter operations; having to also clean up vehicles to make them ready to hit the road wasn’t part of the weekend plans. The ongoing disruption while vehicles and the garage itself are remediated was not on this month’s task list either. And all this as a preview to the heavy snowfall and high winds we experienced yesterday, and another 25-35cm of snow being called for tomorrow and Sunday by Environment and Climate Change Canada.   

In speaking with Public Works Director Cory Smith, I got a sense of the extra effort that is being made to ensure that the department is ready for both the day-to-day and significant weather events forecasted. Although we are down a snow plow, we are so grateful that the fire was contained to minimal losses and that Public Works operations can continue.    

I do ask for the public’s continued patience in advance of this weekend’s snowfall. If you’re on the roads, take your time and remember to give lots of space to the plow operators!  Be assured, that our Public Works crew will be out there doing their best in what has already been an eventful week.  

Thank you to the whole Public Works team for your hard work, dedication to the department’s success, and the superior service you provide to the residents of Mississippi Mills, no matter the challenges you face.    

Sincerely,  

Mayor Christa Lowry
Municipality of Mississippi Mills