Snow Removal

Snow Removal is stressful for everyone involved. Homeowners are trying to clear their driveways and get to their destination; the Town’s plow drivers are trying to keep the streets clear. With some common-sense cooperation, we can both accomplish our goals.

The Town has 15.9 miles of roadway, 37 cul-de-sac’s and multiple dead-end roads to plow.

SNOW PLOWING PROCEDURES

During a snow event we start plowing when the snow reaches 2 inches. Town Ordinance Sec. 62-164 states there is no parking on any public street within 12 hours after a snow fall of two inches or more has occurred. The town police will ticket and/or tow vehicles in violation.

Our goal, when the snow is falling, is to make one pass up and down each street, so emergency vehicles can travel unimpeded. During a major snow event we try to keep major roads open and if possibly make one pass up and down secondary roads.

Once the snow tapers off we come back to each road and attempt to clear the snow curb to curb. The way snow plows are built we have to push the snow to the right (towards the curb). Cul-de-sacs get one pass, up and down the center, so residents can get out. During the cleanup phase we will remove the snow from the curb to the most convenient place.

 ICE CONTROL (salting the roads)

We use a mix of road salt and sand to control road icing. We salt all intersections, stop signs, curves, hills and school zones. If you are behind a truck spreading salt stay back at least fifty feet.

Salt is effective down to 10° F at nighttime temperatures. During the day if the sun is shining, the salt can be effective at this cold of temperature. However, if it melts the snow and the overnight temperature drops below 15° F that melted snow can refreeze into a layer of ice.

During extremely low temperatures we may not use road salt, so as to not make the road conditions more hazardous.

PUSHING SNOW INTO DRIVEWAYS

We always receive complaints about our trucks plowing snow into cleared driveways. We recognize that it can be a serious inconvenience, but it is unavoidable. Here are some tips for this situation.

· When clearing your driveway, please take a moment to see if our plow drivers have cleared the road to the curb. If it has not been plowed expect that a plow will be making another pass down your street. If you can, try to wait to clear the end of your driveway until the street has been cleared to the curb. This way you won’t have to clear the end of your driveway more than once.

· It is also helpful to shovel or blow the snow to the right (when standing in your driveway facing the street). If there is a large pile of snow on the left side of your driveway it is much more likely it will be pushed back into your driveway by a plow.

· Clear a path, ten feet long by four feet wide along the left side of your driveway (when standing in your driveway facing the street). This will allow the snow to be piled up before it gets to your driveway. Follow the link below Snow Shoveling Secrets

· Please don’t blow snow or plow snow into the roadway. Private plow operators are also included. This practice is dangerous and it makes our job much more difficult to ensure that everyone gets their road plowed. If there is no alternative and you must plow the snow into the roadway you must remove any snow piles in the road until the road is safe. It should be no worse than when work began

FIRE HYDRANTS

If you have a fire hydrant near your home, please try to make sure it does not get buried. You want to make sure the fire department can easily access it in case of an emergency.

MAILBOX DAMAGE

Mailboxes are rarely damage by plowed snow, unless they have a weaken support or not secured properly.

If you believe that we have damaged your mailbox please contact the town hall at 219-996-4641 and we will evaluate your claim.

LAWN DAMAGE

The snow plows can peel grass and cause minor damage to the area along the curb. It is one of the unavoidable side effects of snow removal. During the spring our plow drivers will repair any damage (replace rolled up sod or add soil or seed the area damaged). If you feel we have damaged your yard please contact the town hall at 219-996-4641 and we will respond to your complaint. Residents who place any landscaping (shrubs, stones, or plantings) or irrigation systems in the road right of way assume any liability for any damage.

 STEEL DRIVEWAY PLATES

Some residents have steel plates along the road edge of their driveways. These must be removed by December 1st so they won’t become projectiles if hit by a snow plow.

A FEW THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP US HELP YOU

□ Remain patient; we will ensure that all roads are passable as soon as possible. This is our number one priority, but history has shown that even if the towns roads are cleared of snow, the state or county roads are impassible, so please make sure to check with the proper authority that you can actually get to your destination

□ When it begins to snow, please remove all parked vehicles from the street

□ Remove any obstructions in the road right of way (basketball hoops, steel driveway plates or anything that can impede us to clean the street) residents who leave any obstacles in the road right of way assumes liability for any damage

□ Keep small children inside or away from the roadway when snow removal equipment is operating in your area

□ When setting garbage cans out for pick-up, do not place them in the roadway

□ Trim any low hanging tree branches that hang over the roadway, to prevent damage to the towns plows and allow us to clear the road to the curb

□ Inspect and/or repair your mailbox at least once a year. Follow the link below (Snow removal and mailboxes) for more information

□ Shovel out any fire hydrant near your home, at least a three-foot diameter. The fire department will appreciate it in case of an emergency.

□ Shovel any street drains so any snow melt will be able to drain and not cause flooding or icing

□ Do not pass any plow or salt spreader, we have limited visibility and make sudden stops and turns

□ Let the Town Hall know of any treacherous conditions or problems on your street or that you encounter driving through Hebron

□ Please be patient. All streets will be cleared, and all problems will be responded to as expeditiously as possible