 The following is an overview of the Highway Department’s preparation and plan for the upcoming winter. We have been busy preparing for the upcoming winter. This includes plow repair and painting, chemical spreader preparation, mixing of sand and salt and route map review. We will continue with our testing of ice ban. We had good results last year and will continue to test and reduce
salt usage. This product has been successfully used and tested for the last five winters in upstate New York. It is a by-product of the agriculture industry, less corrosive than distilled water and is good for temperatures as low as 40 below zero. We hope that all motorists are also preparing for winter now.
It is our goal to remove snow and ice from Town streets as rapidly and efficiently as possible. Safety and mobility of the community is of the utmost importance and many times a Herculean effort is needed to reach this goal. The Georgetown Highway Department and our subcontractors take pride in clearing our streets and are dedicated to performing in a professional manner. Each storm is different and presents challenges that can be very difficult to handle. Such things as temperature, time of day, traffic conditions and the rate of snowfall are just a few factors effecting the impact of a storm. Total snowfall is of course one of those factors. However, depth alone can be a deceptive yardstick. For instance, a small storm during a weekday rush hour can cause havoc, while an
equivalent storm on the weekend or late at night may cause little trouble. Light snow and heavy wind will cause continual drifting and ice formation. Heavy wet snow will bring down trees and power lines causing additional problems. Snow turning to rain will cause street flooding.
At the end of the season there is nothing to show for this great expenditure. No new infrastructure improvements, yet it would be unthinkable not to make every effort to clean our streets as rapidly as possible. We will continue with our reduced salt use, started in 1993, in areas which have been designated with the appropriate signage. This result has a maximum positive effect on our water resources and the overall environment. As mentioned, we are constantly striving to use the most up to date technology in relation to environmentally safe products without jeopardizing safety and cost effectiveness.
On school cancellations: the decision to cancel school is made by the Superintendent after he consults with the Highway Department. Many factors are taken into account, with the children’s safety being foremost. On occasions, especially in a major storm situation, we may have most of the Town roads plowed, but have been unable to sand, clear sidewalks or plow the schools. These are factors to be considered. Plowing all the schools is an enormous task. Many people do not know that we are responsible for plowing the schools and many other Town owned buildings, including the public safety complex which, without saying, must be given top priority. These are just a few thoughts presented as we prepare for the winter months ahead. Everyone at the Georgetown Highway Department hopes
you have a safe winter. Please follow our recommendations and respect the Town’s policies on snow and ice control operations.
Sincerely,
Highway Surveyor
The following are recommendations relative to safe operation of vehicles in snowstorms
1) Make certain your vehicle is READY for winter driving conditions long before
the first storm hits. Being ready means good tires, good wiper blades, a properly
working defroster, a small pail of sand in the trunk and a well made ice scraper.
2) Reduce your speed in snow and ice conditions. This is the #1 cause of most
accidents. People have actually tried to pass a sander or plow on many occasions,
some with disastrous results. Many areas in Town are subject to sudden freeze
over conditions and catch many motorists unaware. Andover Hill, Tenney Street
and sections of North Street are some of the more dangerous areas. All bridge
crossings are highly susceptible to freeze over.
3) At the beginning of each storm, the Highway Department employees must also
drive in icy conditions to reach the equipment needed. This cannot be done
quickly. Priorities are set and some areas must wait longer for service. Heavy
traveled roadways, schools (if in session), public safety building, hills etc. are
given first priority for obvious reasons. Sixty (60) miles of roadway and over
thirteen (13) square miles is a sizable workload.
4) Only travel when absolutely necessary.
5) WHEN A STORM IS FORECASTED, PLEASE REMOVE YOUR VEHICLES
FROM ROADSIDES. DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE.
6) Shoveling or plowing snow from driveways into the street is not only illegal; it
can cause serious traffic hazards. Should this be the cause of injury or death,
you could be held liable. You created the hazard after the roadway was clear.
Have some regard for your fellow citizens and the motoring public and don’t
expose yourself to unnecessary liability.
7) Shoveling snow to the side of the driveway opposite the direction of the plow will
significantly reduce those build-ups of snow at the end of the driveway. We can’t
help this and it is an unfortunate fact if we are to clear the streets. If the street is
plowed clean and full width, and it has stopped snowing, you are safe. If not, the
plowing operation is not finished and you will see that dreaded plow again.
8) Mailboxes installed in the right of way are placed at the owner’s risk. Most
mailboxes are on Town property or someone else’s private property. A large
highway plow moves many tons of snow widening roadways. The rolling action
of the snow will destroy or damage all but the strongest of mailboxes and posts.
Try to place the mailbox behind an object such as a light pole. If this isn’t
possible, place a second post in front of the box to break the force of the snow
coming toward it. Place reflectors so the box and post can be seen under poor
visibility conditions. The Post Office recommends placing boxes at least two (2)
feet from the edge of the pavement. See attachment for more information.
Please use common sense in placing mailboxes.
9) The Town does not plow private streets, driveways or mailboxes. The exception
to this is if an emergency exists, we will clear any area at the request of the Fire
or Police Department.
10) Please respect the Town’s winter parking ban. A copy is attached. We have
had many problems in the past with vehicles blocking snow and ice control
operations. It will make everyone’s life easier and you won’t have the needless
expense of having your vehicle towed.
11) The Highway Department, during any storm situation, is next to impossible to
reach. If you have an emergency situation or a dangerous conditions exists,
please call the Communication Center (352-5705). They can reach us by pager
or radio. Chances are, we are already aware of the problem. Please be patient.
During most storm situations, the workers have worked many hours without
sleep. Highway workers do not get a shift change. If a storm is of long duration
the workers continue until the job is done.
12) Sidewalks are plowed after the storm stops and can take up to 3 days to
complete.
13) This year you will see us spreading some deicing agents before the snow starts.
This is a proactive approach and keeps snow and ice from bonding to the pave-
ment. This saves money in relation to less plowing time required and helps
create safer driving conditions.
14) Town priorities in clearing snow are as follows:
Public safety facilities.
Major arterial roads (Rt.133, 97, North and Tenney St.
Schools (when in session)
Other arterial routes (Pond , Jewett and Jackman Streets)
Subdivision collector streets-the streets that cul-de-sac streets connect to.
Cul-de-sacs, hammerheads and other turn arounds.
Municipal lots.
Sidewalks.
15) Plowing of sidewalks begins after the snowstorm has subsided. Plowing is done most times during regular working hours as they are classified as Non- emergency routes:
They are prioritized as follows:
Main walking routes with in one quarter mile of all schools.
Heavy use walkways out side of school routes.
Non-school/ infrequently used walks.
All other walks.
If it snows during the time the walks are being cleared, the work will stop and street clearing will take priority. Some walks are impossible to clear of snow because of replacement light poles blocking the walks or walks are not wide enough for equipment. Some of these areas include Upper end of West Main Street, upper end of Pond Street all of Prospect Street, and the upper end of Andover Street. Citizens who live along walkways with these problems are asked to clear them in front of their property. We are working on getting these walks rebuilt to current standards.. However, funding has been a problem.
We hope this information has been helpful to you. Should you have any
questions, please contact us at (978) 352-5704
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