2001-2008, Montgomery Township. All rights reserved
As snow begins to accumulate, the Township concentrates on certain roads. The first streets that receive attention are the major roads (or “Priority One” roads). As long as the snow keeps falling, the Township’s first priority is to keep the main roads open and passable. In such instances, it is unlikely that residential roads will be reached immediately, because the main roads must be repeatedly plowed and kept open.
High priority is given to the clearing of major streets in order to allow for school buses and emergency vehicles to gain access to all parts of the Township. As soon as all major streets are clear, equipment is immediately moved into residential areas.
Under normal circumstances, cul-de-sacs are the last residential streets to be cleared. Cul-de-sacs are plowed last, because they carry the lowest volume of traffic among the different types of streets.
Although state highways are cleared by state snow removal crews, as a measure of courtesy, safety, and common sense, when a Township plows travels along a state road, they keep their blades down to assist in the state’s snow removal efforts.
There are two aspects of a snow operation – salting and plowing. When roads start to freeze from falling precipitation, salting operations begin on major roads and continue until all roads are completed or until it is no longer effective to salt, due to the depth of the snow. The more traffic on a road, the more effective the salt. As a result, some residential streets with small amounts of traffic may appear to have not been salted.
Please, keep in mind that as the temperature drops, the salt becomes less effective. Once the temperature drops below 20 degrees, salt becomes ineffective.
If snowfall accumulates and plowing is required, salting operations cease. When the snow stops and final plowing is accomplished on all roads, salt is again spread on all the roads. All roads are monitored for icy spots and resalted where dangerous.
Each property owner should check their mailbox front to ensure that it is the minimum of 6 inches behind the face of the curb, which is within federal postal regulations. Prior to the start of winter, the homeowner should reset any mailboxes protruding past the minimum measurement of 6 inches behind the face of the curb. This will ensure that the mailbox will not be damaged during the plowing operations. Any damage that may occur will be the responsibility of the homeowner, unless the plow truck was directly responsible for the damage.
All basketball backstops should be removed from any Township Right-of-Way, which is generally 1 foot behind the sidewalk. Any damage that may occur during plowing operation will be the responsibility of the homeowner.
As salting and plowing are difficult operations to perform, residents are requested to park in their driveways when snow is anticipated rather, than on the street. Please, keep in mind that it is almost impossible to keep snow from being deposited at your driveway during plowing, as the plow cannot be lifted or stopped at each driveway as it passes.
If you have your driveway plowed before the street is completed, here is a tip that will help minimize the amount of snow left in front of your driveway. When your driveway is cleaned, clear an area to the left of the drive entrance (standing in the driveway, facing the street). When your street is plowed, the snow from the plow can be unloaded in this area instead of your driveway.
Plows sometimes find it necessary to make several passes, in order to clear snow all the way to the curb to allow for property drainage.
Please, do not empty snow from your driveway into the street, this slows the overall plowing operation. Also, if snow that is placed in the street freezes, it can create a traffic hazard.
Residents and business owners are reminded that, by ordinance, all private sidewalks are to be shoveled within 30 hours after a snowfall. Otherwise, individuals could slip and be badly injured. Remember that it is easier to remove snow before pedestrians pack it down.
If you have a fire hydrant on your property, please clear the snow away from the area around it (leaving the markers intact). This will assist fire crews in the event of an emergency.
Please, be patient, snow removal is a difficult and time-consuming job. Since Township crews need many hours of intensive labor to complete snow clearing operations, please try to limit your travel during and immediately following a snowfall unless absolutely necessary. The less traffic on the roads during snow clearing operations, the quicker the job can be accomplished.
Public Works Department: (215) 855-0510
Police Department (24-hours-a-day): (215) 362-2300
Please, try not to call, unless it is urgent. If snow removal crews are sent off their normal routes on special efforts, it slows down the overall cleanup. Your street will be plowed as quickly as possible.
If you do call to report a condition, the information is immediately dispatched to a truck in your district. There is no need to call a second time.
In the event of a police, fire or ambulance emergency, the Township’s plow drivers are dispatched in conjunction with the emergency vehicles.
Please, remember that your cooperation will help expedite the snow removal process. Thank you and have a wonderful winter.
Montgomery Township
1001 Stump Road
Montgomeryville, PA18936-9605
2001-2008, Montgomery Township. All rights reserved
