IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Winter 2019

WINTER SNOW REMOVAL OPERATIONS and TIPS for RESIDENTS The Baldwin Borough Public Works Department prides themselves on safely maintaining and servicing the approximate 160 lane miles of Borough roadways. Our goal is to provide residents with the highest level of service possible, and to promote a safe environment for vehicular and pedestrian traffic to travel. We take this responsibility seriously and strive to continuously improve our operations. In a snow and ice event, they (Public Works) are the first emergency responders, responsible for clearing these roadways during the most dangerous times when inclement weather sets in. Accordingly, the Borough must prioritize roadways during these events, beginning with heavily trafficked or arterial roadways being the highest priority, followed by school bus routes, and then into neighborhood streets and cul-de-sacs. During snowfalls when plows are used (generally when accumulation reaches 2 inches or more), the initial passes of the snowplow are to open the road to traffic flow. Expect to have the snow pushed back wider to the curb on a later pass. This is done to provide more space to push away future snow and to provide drainage when the snow melts, so that water runs along the side of the road and not in the cartway where it may re-freeze as temperatures drop. Remember that snow plows cannot pick up and carry snow, so snow is placed where our operators believe it will create the least amount of problems for motorists. In order to assist the Borough Public Works Department during snow events, we would like to remind you of the following; • Do not shovel or plow snow from your driveway or walkway into the street. Pile snow in your yard, or edge of your driveway. • Maintain and repair mailbox posts. Mailboxes should not extend past the face of the curb and should be constructed of sturdy lumber. • Property owners and businesses are reminded that snow and ice must be removed from the sidewalk along your property within 24 hours of the beginning of a snowfall. • Have an experienced professional cut tree limbs away from power lines, the roof of your house and all sidewalks adjacent to your property. During a snow event, tree limbs can be weighed down by snow and snap, damaging your property and getting in the way of snow plows. • If you elect to contact the Borough during a snow event to request service or to report a problem, please make every attempt to keep messages simple and direct. Be sure to state the nature of the problem, the location and a return telephone number. Whenever snow events occur, rest assured our crews will be out, however we do request motorists and area residents be patient, and exercise appropriate caution while traveling under these winter conditions. Always allow yourself sufficient and enough extra time to get to work, school, appointments and alike. In the end, we will be there to treat your area roadways, and want all drivers to be safe while exercising patience and caution. • Remove your vehicles from the street. Vehicles parked in the street create a hazard for snow plow operators and do not allow roadways to be completely cleared. IMPORTANT REMINDERS Borough Office will be CLOSED on the following dates: Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, 2019 Day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 29, 2019 Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25, 2019 BRENTWOOD-BALDWIN-WHITEHALL ❘ WINTER 2019 77

IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Winter 2019 | Page 79