The responsibility for providing snow and ice control for Plumstead Township, including 62 miles of streets, 49 cul-de-sacs, the Plumstead Township Administrative and Public Works Buildings, and emergency services buildings, rests entirely with the Department of Public Works.
Snow and ice control is considered emergency work, in that pavement must be cleared any time of the day or night. Because of the potential hazard to the motoring public and high incidence of overtime involved in this program, careful planning and preparation must be done prior to the snow and ice season. This planning process is made considerably more difficult due to the variable conditions encountered during each storm. Such things as the rate and accumulation of snowfall, moisture content, temperature, time of day or night, wind direction and velocity and duration are all factors that interact to create a unique aspect for each storm with the result that no two storms are ever identical.
Goal and Objective
The goal of the Public Works Department is to make all Township-owned facilities safe and accessible during the winter season. Additional caution is advised, however, when using Township facilities during the winter season because of the potential for hazardous conditions caused by snow, wind, and freezing temperatures.
The Public Works Department is to make all streets, and cul-de-sacs safe and accessible for vehicles properly equipped for winter driving conditions during and after a storm, in accordance with the guidelines set herein. We will attempt to clear all primary routes to bare pavement, and maintain a clear bare driving track on either side of the centerline on secondary streets within twelve (12) hours of the end of a snowfall and in cul-de-sacs within eighteen (18) hours of the end of a snowfall. During and after the storm, some streets may be snow packed and snow can be expected to accumulate adjacent to the traveled portion of a road to the extent that a motorist's sight distance may be greatly reduced or impaired.
The Public Works Department is to make the Township Administrative Building, Public Works Building, fire companies and ambulance squad parking lots/adjacent sidewalk areas safe and accessible for winter use during and after a storm, in accordance with the guidelines set herein. We will attempt to maintain access to the parking lots during business hours with the major clearing operation being completed during the evening and non-business hours. We will attempt to clear all sidewalks adjacent to public buildings to a bare surface and maintain a safe walking area for pedestrians within twelve (12) hours of the end of a storm. Additional caution is advised, however, when using the public building parking lots/sidewalks during the winter season because of the limited effort during high occupancy periods.
