Snow Season and Removal
The Public Works Department works around the clock to maintain road safety and provide emergency accessibility throughout the snow storm. The Public Works maintains approximately 25 miles of roads with seven employees and seven pieces of equipment. We track potential storms and respond immediately as snow begins to accumulate. The Public Works Department plows and spreads salt and anti-skid to maintain road safety throughout the storm. When driving, please operate with extra caution around snow removal equipment.
- Stay at least six car lengths behind a plow truck and remember the plow is wider than the truck.
- Be alert since trucks travel slower than other traffic.
- When the plow and truck is traveling toward you, stay away from the center of the road since snow can obscure the actual snow plow width.
- Keep your lights on to help the plow operator better see your vehicle. Pennsylvania state law requires vehicle lights on when your vehicle’s wipers are on.
Snow Removal Tips:
- Roads. Remove cars from streets and roadways before snow removal crews begin working on the roads. Vehicles parked on the roadways jeopardize the safety of road crew personnel and the public. Also, the snow cannot be removed from curb to curb when obstacles obstruct the roadway. The leftover snow around the vehicles is a hazard to the postal service and local traffic. Snow Emergencies (Ordinance #1987-7) prohibit parking on Snow Emergency Routes and local streets. Cooperation is needed to help crews remove snow quickly and efficiently. Snow Emergencies are announced on several radio and television stations
including: WSBA-AM 910, WARM 103FM, and WGAL-TV Channel 8. - Plowing duration. Please understand the crews are not done plowing until the storm is completely finished and the snow is plowed curb to curb. The Public Works Department plows the roadways for local traffic and emergency vehicles with two lanes of accessibility during the storm. The roads are not plowed curb to curb until the
snow storm is completely finished. When the storm is finished, the roads will be plowed all the way back to the curb line. - Driveway or sidewalk. Do not throw snow from your driveway or sidewalk into the roadway. Keep the snow on your property and not on the roadway.
- Property markings. Delineators or markers can help snow removal crews locate the curb line and prevent property damage. Snow removal crews strive to plow snow curb to curb but sometimes mistakenly get too close to your yard and damage grass. Any marker can help crews find the curb line.
- Please keep trash behind the curb line during snow events. If trash cans are in the roadway, the cans will be knocked over and can disrupt the trash haulers.
- Travel at slower speeds and allow greater stopping distances during storms. Stay off the roads if possible and allow snow removal crews the necessary time and distances to work on the roads. Operate with extra caution around snow removal equipment and traffic.
- Fire Hydrants. Residents are responsible for clearing snow around a fire hydrant. The hydrant should have a three-foot clearance radius within 12 hours after a snowfall per Ordinance 2014-3. The Ordinance protects the community in case a fire occurs and allows the Fire Department to connect hoses and operate the hydrant safely. If you have a medical condition or are unable to clear your hydrant, please contact the Public Works Department for assistance.
- Sidewalks. Snow must be removed from the sidewalk within 24 hours after
snowfall . - Mailboxes. The area around your mailbox should be cleared adequately for the safety and effectiveness of the Postal Service after the Public Works Department is finished plowing. Broken mailboxes will not be repaired by the Public Works Department if damaged by the snow during the snow removal process. Mailboxes that are hit by the truck or plow will be repaired by the Public Works Department so mail can be delivered.
