Meet Dennis Miranowski

At the final meeting of 2013 members met the city of Wahpeton’s new Public Works Director, Dennis Miranowski.  A civil engineer graduating from North Dakota State University he grew up across the river in Wilkin County.  After extensive experience in a number of government and private jobs across the nation the City of Wahpeton was able to “steal” (Pres. Darcie Huwe) him from Apple Valley, MN to replace the retiring Randy Nelson.

                He was at the meeting to discuss snow plow operations.  Contrary to most of the public’s simplistic view of the work there is both a science and an art to clearing a municipality’s snow.   In Wahpeton there are ten routes carefully designed so that the snowplow truck is always turning right and so that all work starts and stops at the same time.  Thus in Wahpeton if the major arteries are plowed the residential side streets are plowed.  Planning starts early by monitoring the NOAA hourly forecasts of start time and predicted snow fall.  Based on these forecasts the drivers are summoned to start plowing with the expectation that their route will be plowed in eight hours.  Operating a snow plow is complex and tiring so much beyond eight hours is not safe.  All crews are called out at the same time and the same driver operates the same equipment over the same route each time.   The route is also designed for the most efficient operation that will minimize tax dollar cost.  Older trucks had a system of seven levers to operate the plow; new technology allows drivers to more safely operate the plow with a joy stick.  Mr. Miranowski spoke of how a good driver can “feel” the curb with a wing plow keeping the streets wide and allowing for efficient run off of water in the spring.

                There were multiple questions some focusing on the “door” that can be used to prevent snow from coming into driveways.  This equipment is available at considerable cost but markedly slows operations.  Thus there would need to be more crews and equipment or residential streets  would be plowed three days after the storm granted with minimal snow at the end of the driveway.

                There are still people who park in restricted areas overnight despite the city ordinance.   This illegal parking slows operations, risks damage to your vehicle, plows in your vehicle and results in a ticket.  As yet the city has not started a program of routinely towing all vehicles in places where snowplows need to be as occurs in some cities.  Mr. Miranowski allowed that there are fewer and fewer offenders as winter moves on.