eters Township
PETERS TOWNSHIP NEWS
WINTER SALT USAGE
As a homeowner , keeping ice and snow off your driveway and walkways is important for safety and convenience . When using deicing products such as rock salt ( sodium chloride ) or calcium chloride , please keep in mind that these compounds are extremely soluble in water and , as the snow melts , will eventually end up in our local streams . Chloride can be harmful to aquatic and plant life as concentration levels rise . There are ways to reduce the impact of salt usage by following these guidelines :
SHOVEL EARLY AND OFTEN Deicers are most effective when there is only a thin layer of snow or ice that must be removed . Shoveling or sweeping a few times during a storm may not only save your back , but , will also make a final application of deicer work more effectively .
APPLY SALT SPARINGLY The recommended application rate for rock salt is about one ( 1 ) handful per square yard . For calcium chloride , one ( 1 ) handful per every three ( 3 ) square yards is recommended .
Snow Removal
Peters Township performs snow removal on 137 miles of roads , 21 of those by contract with PennDOT . The township has a Council-endorsed policy that states from the time that the Public Works Department is first notified of hazardous road conditions , all roads within its jurisdiction will be treated with salt within 3 hours . If snow plowing is required , the policy states that all roads have been plowed at least once within 6 hours . The Public Works Department ’ s vehicle inventory has 13 fully equipped trucks plus 3 additional vehicles equipped only with snowplows .
12 PETERS TOWNSHIP
CALCIUM CHLORIDE VS . ROCK SALT
If you have the choice , calcium chloride is better deicer because it is effective to a much lower temperature than rock salt and can be spread at a much lower application rate .
SENSITIVE PLANTS
If you have any salt-sensitive trees , shrubbery , or grass within 10 feet of your sidewalk or driveway , you should avoid both rock salt and calcium chloride or use in very small doses .
COMMON PLANTS SUSCEPTIBLE TO SALT ARE :
Deciduous Trees Tulip Poplar , Green Ash , Hickory , Red Maple , Sugar Maple
Conifers Shrubs Grasses
Balsam Fir , White Pine , Hemlock , Norway Spruce Dogwood , Redbud , Hawthorn , Rose , Spirea Kentucky Bluegrass , Red Fescue
Snow Emergencies
When a significant snowfall occurs , it is sometimes necessary for the Township to declare a snow emergency . During a snow emergency , on-street parking is prohibited , and the police department can issue tickets or even have vehicles towed away . Citations can be issued to operators of vehicles not equipped with snow tires or chains . When a snow emergency is declared , it is broadcasted on Peters Township Comcast Cable Channels 7 and 17 and Verizon Channels 38 and 40 . This information is also distributed to a number of local radio , television stations , and available on the township ’ s website , www . peterstownship . com , and social media pages .