Snow and Ice Control
Snow Removal Policy
The Town Public Works Department is responsible for providing for the safe and orderly movement of automobile traffic on over 120 miles of road within the Town limits. Safety for residents and businesses is a top priority among the Town Board of Trustees and staff, and part of our proactive approach in caring for our community is our snow and ice control plan.
When the snow starts falling, time is of the essence to clear roadways and make them as safe as possible. Plowed snow will generally get pushed toward the right and into the ends of driveways creating a windrow. This is not intentionally done by the snowplow drivers and is unavoidable. While crews make a conscious effort to minimize effects on residents, this is a common, unavoidable circumstance of plowing streets, especially during variable conditions and periods of heavy or extended snow. While windrows can be frustrating, plowing is necessary to make the streets passable. In most cases, the windrow is in the Town’s right-of-way and it is too costly and time consuming for the Town to remove it from all driveways. As a way to help mitigate windrows, residents can create an open area to the left of their driveway when facing the street. By creating this open area, the amount of snow that may be pushed back across your entry way can be reduced.
Please help our Public Works team by following the reminders and tips below:
- Please move all vehicles off the streets and cul-de-sacs during all snowstorms that have the possibility of producing at least 3 inches of snow.
- Objects in the street are the biggest deterrent to efficient plowing operations.
- Please do not place garbage or trash containers on the street.
- Never pass a snowplow.
- Never assume the snowplow driver can see you. Stay at least 3 car lengths behind the truck. If you cannot see the driver mirrors, then he cannot see you either.
- Be aware that snowplows will on occasion back up at intersections.
- As you clear your driveway or sidewalk, do not place snow into the street.
- Shovel around any fire hydrant in your neighborhood to clear it of snow.
During a snow event, the Town’s policy is to maintain maximum service on major arterial streets and other select streets to move the majority of the Town’s traffic in an orderly and safe manner, and to provide access for emergency personnel. The Town will mobilize the snow removal crews when a snow event exceeds two inches of accumulation. The snow removal priorities are as follows:
Priority 1: All arterial streets are considered to be the minimum network which must be kept open to provide a basic transportation system, especially one which connects emergency services and school access routes. Examples of these are Welker Avenue, 3rd Street, and WCR 38.
Priority 2: Select collector streets completing the transportation network covering the major traffic routes will be targeted once the Priority 1 streets are cleared. Examples of these are Margil Road, 9th Street, and Branding Iron Way.
Priority 3: All remaining streets, including most residential streets, are only plowed once Priority 1 and 2 routes are cleared.
While the Town provides a significant amount of snow and ice removal, there are responsibilities that apply to home and business owners.
- Every owner has the responsibility to remove snow from their sidewalks with 24 hours of accumulation.
- It is illegal to deposit snow onto adjacent sidewalks, driving lanes, storm water inlets, or to block driveways, or to place snow on or against fire hydrants.
- Snow should be placed on the sides of driveways, not in the streets.
