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Incident Reporting
If you are concerned that the Town of Hinton may have caused damage to you or your personal property:
- Contact your personal insurance provider.
- Complete the Statement of Damage/Injury Form available online here, or in hard copy at the Government Centre and Infrastructure Services Building.
Note that:
- The Town acknowledges all claims in writing and investigates all claims submitted.
- Determinations take several weeks, sometimes months. Please be patient.
- Direct all inquiries to the Legislative Services Coordinator.
- Town employees must not discuss the circumstances of claims with claimants.
The Town is not liable for:
- Water damage resulting from the breaking or blockage of municipal water and sewer infrastructure.
- Property damage due to the weight of snow or ice resulting from snow-clearing operations.
- Property damage and/or injury resulting from potholes.
The Town of Hinton is also not liable for any damages caused by snow, ice or slush on roads or sidewalks unless proven grossly negligent. A person who brings an action claiming gross negligence must notify the Town of Hinton within 21 days after the occurrence of the event.
For further information, click on the buttons below.
To prevent or minimize damage or injury due to garbage pick up, practice the following:
- Secure Garbage Properly: Ensure all trash is bagged and placed inside approved containers with lids closed to prevent spillage or hazards.
- Dispose of Prohibited waste separately: This includes liquid wastes, animal carcasses, industrial residue, hot ashes, furniture, appliances, sod, gravel, concrete, soil shingles, wood products, tiles, carpet, newsprint, cardboard, inflammable waste, and explosive waste.
- Maintain Clear Access: Keep the area around garbage bins free of obstacles, sharp objects, or hazardous materials.
- Avoid Overloading: Do not overfill containers; excessive weight or protruding items can cause accidents or property damage.
- Schedule Awareness: Place garbage out only during designated collection times to reduce exposure and risk.
- Stay Clear During Pickup: Keep a safe distance from collection vehicles and workers while garbage is being removed.
Town of Hinton employees have been instructed to call the police or an ambulance, offer any appropriate assistance, and report accidents immediately.
Town employees will attend the scene of all municipal vehicle accidents to take pictures, get the names of the involved parties, etc. All claims are forwarded immediately to the Risk Manager/Insurance Coordinator. We investigate all motor vehicle accidents involving our vehicles.
Municipal employees are not permitted to discuss the circumstances of accidents, not liability, with the other parties involved.
We will require a written statement from you, including all relevant information. Report the claim to your insurance company.
The frequent freeze/thaw cycle that is normal for the municipality in the winter causes potholes to form frequently and quickly. As a result, during the winter and early spring, these are, unfortunately, common on municipal streets. The problem is further compounded by the fact that asphalt plants do not operate in the winter, so repair options are limited and often temporary.
To prevent or minimize damage or injury due to encounters with potholes, practice the following:
- Drive defensively. Keep in mind that winter driving conditions are less than ideal, not just due to snow and ice but also due to potholes.
- Drive slowly. This will help reduce the number and size of potholes and should you encounter a pothole, damage will be minimized.
Please contact the Town if you observe a pothole that you think may cause damage, or to report damage to municipal streets, sidewalks and other infrastructure at 780-865-2634.
Due to our climate, the Town of Hinton conducts extensive snow-clearing and removal activities on its streets.
Often, accumulations are such that snow has to be pushed back to make way for future snowfalls. Municipal operators have no way of knowing what is buried under the snow.
You can prevent or minimize damage to your property in three ways:
- Build fences, walls and other structures, plant hedges, trees and flowers well back from roads and sidewalks to allow room for necessary snow storage. Remember to get a permit where required.
- Park your vehicles well back from municipal roads and sidewalks.
- Clearly mark plants, fences and other objects that may be obstructed by snow with highly visible markers.
Do not drive through windrows if you are able to go around or avoid them with another route. Windrows are a necessary step in removing snow from our streets.
- Practice prevention techniques. Install backwater and bleeder valves, combination floor drains, and keep damageable building contents high off basement floors.
- Check with your insurance company for possible coverage. Many insurance companies do have sewer backup endorsements to cover damage as a result of back-up, rupture, or escape of water from a sewer, sump, septic tank, or drain.
- Pour grease and liquids that can solidify into jars and dispose of them in the garbage. Running hot water will not keep fats from congealing when they enter the sewer systems. Grease is one of the most common causes of blockages.
- Be careful of what you dispose of in the sewer system. Do not flush paper towels, sanitary napkins, baby wipes or like objects down the toilet. They do not biodegrade and will cause a blockage.
- Have someone attend to your house while you are on holiday. Someone must check your heat and water lines and run some water, especially in colder weather. The Town of Hinton will not thaw water lines that are not on the Town of Hinton property—this is the homeowner's responsibility.
- Be aware when you plant your trees. Tree roots that mature can plug sewer lines. Research what type of tree you are planting and know how long the roots will grow on a mature specimen. Plant away from sewer lines accordingly.