Township of Spring Snow Removal

Township staff do their best to keep the roads clear from snow and ice. During an event, the crews will start with spreading salt and cinders. Once a snow storm is expected with (4) four or more inches, plow teams will clear their perspective routes. When crews are out plowing, avoid being on the road unless it is absolutely necessary. Trying to beat a plow truck to get somewhere could lead to a disastrous situation for you and our drivers.

Our crews will clear curb to curb wherever they can.  During a long and heavy snow event we may keep just the center lanes open and then come back later to clear back to the edge or curb.  Park in your driveway or garage and avoid parking in the street whenever possible.

If you have an on-street mailbox – make sure it meets the setbacks proposed by the US Postal Service.

Throwing or blowing snow back onto the streets after the roads are cleared could lead to a fine. If you have a Fire Hydrant by your property, please help the Fire Department and clear access to the hydrant.

Snow and Ice vs. Sugar Beet Juice

The Public Works Department will continue to fight snow and ice with the juice of sugar beets.  Sugar beets grow in the ground like red beets, but they are grown commercially for sugar production due to the high concentration of sucrose in their roots.

The solution used on the roads is a combination of de-sugared beet juice and sodium chloride brine. This solution is a ready-to-use, eco-friendly, all-natural treatment that is sprayed directly on the road salt as it is dispensed from the truck’s salt spreader. It is a dark brown color, and it will change the color of the salt, but it won’t stain the equipment or your vehicle.

This beet-juice and brine combination reduces the bounce and scatter of the salt as it hits the roadway. It will also reduce the amount of corrosion to the Township’s equipment and to traveling vehicles. By adding this solution to the road salt, it also increases the salt’s efficiency because the solution’s freeze point is minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

This product was used successfully on the “country roads” in the southern end of the Township, on Tulpehocken Road and on some hills in the northern end of the Township. The Public Works Department has found a new partner in their fight against snow and ice!

Snow Plowing Reminders

Objects in the road right of way such as bushes, trees, and mailboxes are subject to damage from snow being cast off the plows. Mailboxes on a well secured and maintained base should not be able to be pushed over or damaged by the snow coming off the plows. The truck drivers have a very necessary and difficult function to assure that our roads are safe for travel. It is essential for the safe passage on our streets that we plow from edge to edge or curb to curb to the best of our ability. Snow pushing off the blade of the plow is inevitable, and the plow drivers must maintain a speed for the plow to push snow effectively. Please help us do this job efficiently by checking your mailboxes annually for any potential maintenance issues. Look for signs of rotting, insect damage, or other worn-out hardware and determine if your mailbox is mounted on an adequate pole that will not be easily damaged by the snow. Resolution 2010-09 establishes that the cost and expense of damage to mailboxes and other property, including but not limited to fences, shrubbery and trees situated within the legal rights of way of the Township streets, caused by the windrow of snow from the snow plowing activities shall not be reimbursed by the Township, but shall remain the responsibility of the owners of such property.

Public Sidewalks

Please remember to remove snow and ice from the public sidewalk within 24 hours from when the storm ends. Code Enforcement Officers will patrol the Township and may issue fines if sidewalks are not cleared. In some situations, the Township may remove snow and ice, then lien the property for the cost if necessary. Additionally, snow and ice should not be thrown on the public streets as violators may be fined in accordance with Chapter XXVI, Section 122(B) of the Township Code of Ordinances.

Alleys and Private Roads

Alleys and private roads are not dedicated to the Township and are therefore not maintained by the Township or applicable to Township ordinances. In some instances, it may be a Homeowner’s Association or other private entity that may be responsible for clearing and maintaining the right-of-way. If a Homeowner’s Association is not present, it may be up to the individual property owner(s) to determine if the right-of-way needs to be cleared.

Fire Hydrants

Fire hydrants should be cleared of snow at least 3 feet all around. This allows the Fire Department to have enough room to connect fire hoses and open valves safely and quickly during emergencies.