Snow Removal Process

The Borough’s primary objective during snow events is to provide as much vehicular (especially emergency vehicles) access to the roads as possible with the manpower and equipment that is available. The greater the snow event the more challenging the task. Here are some points that need to be remembered: 

• The Borough applies salt to the roadways when the snow/ice begins to adhere to the surface of the road.
• Once there is approximately two (2) inches of snow on the road surface the plowing starts.
• The Borough is broken up into zones specific to snow plowing with vehicles assigned to each plow zone. Depending on the depth of the snow and rate of the snowfall it is possible that a resident may only see a plow once in a six or seven hour period. This usually occurs during a snowfall event when eight inches or more accumulate. This is especially true during blizzards or extremely heavy snow storms. There is a misconception that once the snow stops the roads should be completely clear of snow. In actuality once the snow stops falling it generally takes six to eight hours to clean the roadways. An especially large event can take up to twelve hours to complete a cleanup.
• It is important to know that a snow plow pushes the snow, they cannot remove it. As the plow pushes the snow off the roadway it creates a windrow (mound of snow) off to the side of the road being cleared. Unfortunately, this snow is going to end up on or in front of driveways and perhaps sidewalks.
• The Borough attempts to clear the road to the curb whenever possible.
• Once the snow storm ends the road clearing must continue. This process will push snow further to the curb. During this process it is unfortunate, but unavoidable, that driveways will be once again blocked by snow.
• Roads are plowed according to their designations. Main roads (arterial) are plowed first. This is followed by feeder roads, those roads that deliver considerable traffic to the main roads. The local roads such as cul-de-sacs and similar small roads are cleared last.
• In the event there is a fire, medical or police emergency on any road the Department of Public Works will “lead” the emergency vehicles to the emergency site if necessary with a plow or plows.

The residents can assist in this process by:

• Not parking on the road until the plowing is complete
• Not throwing snow that is shoveled into the roadway
• Not plowing their driveways onto the road surface