SnowPlan

E.    The public works director will monitor or take part in the necessary action required by the storm until a safe
condition is restored. The extent of the action taken is mandated by the size and magnitude of the storm and as a
judgment call by the individual in charge.

F.    A plowing/salting policy has been established to assist in the decision-making process.

II.    PLOWING AND SALTING PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

A.    During a winter storm there are a number of elements that must be taken into consideration before a
reasonable and responsible course of action can be determined. All township employees are expected to be ready
and available when needed for snow work when the forecast is for stormy weather.

B.    Forecast
The forecast is one element that must be watched carefully.

Long-term storms require long-term action, and it is important to be aware of the forecast at all times so that
manning and materials can be planned accordingly.

Avoid overreacting during a short-term storm.

C.    Depth of snowfall
The course of action is determined by the amount and duration of snowfall.

2 inches and falling: Call personnel into work so that by the time the snow reaches a depth of 3”, all snow plows are
in their respective areas moving snow.

The public works director at this point, might opt to plow only the primary routes until the storm reaches a more
plowable depth at which point the remaining streets can be plowed. This option is a judgment call based on
predictions and must be carefully considered before implementing.

If the 2 inches and falling occurs after sunset and is a dry type of snow with a heavier accumulation predicted, the
public works director might opt to salt only and return at a point in the storm when the plows would be more
productive.

Whichever method is used, the public works director must make the police officer on duty aware of his plan of action
before implementing.

Safe vehicular travel must be maintained at all times.

Under no circumstances is any snowfall to be permitted to exceed 4 inches without a plowing schedule implemented.
Some snowfalls of a lesser depth, for example a 1-inch or less snowfall, may be handled with a salting operation only.

D.    Salting Operations
Application depends on weather and temperature. Salting is normally not effective when conditions are under 20
degrees unless the area is subject to heavy vehicular traffic or direct sunlight.

Salt should be applied sporadically and not 100% throughout. By applying a short spread (allow 100-150 intervals
of no salt), adequate traction for motorists will be maintained.

A spread of salt preceding intersections/stop signs/hills and bridges should be applied during a salting operation.

The Township’s stockpile of rock salt must be constantly monitored to always maintain a level that will insure the
continued operation of service throughout the winter.

E.    Crew Considerations
During prolonged storms, it is the responsibility of the public works director on duty to monitor the fatigue level of the
plow/salting force and to insure that sufficient breaks and/or meals are taken to make sure the employees are alert
at all times.

If warranted (during prolonged sever weather conditions), relief drivers and operators should be notified as early as
possible to stand by. The snow plowing/salting schedule of trucks and potential drivers provides for additional
personnel, if needed.

F.    Plowing Zones
The Township is divided into six basic zones for a quick plowing response time to all areas of the Township. This
method of deploying plow and salt apparatus in known as the Shotgun Method, is quick and covers a large area.

G.    Snow Routes
Roads are designated as primary and secondary routes.

The primary routes in each zone should be plowed first to enable emergency vehicles (fire, police and ambulance)
access to within two blocks of any residence or within the reach of a fire hose, for example.

After the primary routes are cleared, the plows can move on to the secondary routes in their assigned zone. Plowing
on secondary routes will start on the east side of a zone and continue in a westerly direction. When assigned zone
is completed, employee must contact the public works director on duty for further direction. If the public works
director is not available, the employee must contact a plow in another zone to see if assistance is needed.

Before plowing of the designated primary routes, the public works director must make a decision as to the extent of
plowing required: for example, should the road be plowed curb to curb or should only a path in each direction be
plowed. As an example, if the storm is predicted to only last an hour with a small accumulation, the directive prior to
dispatch would be curb-to-curb plowing to avoid a return trip. If the storm is predicted to continue 6-8 hours or more,
the public works director might opt to plow only a pass in each direction and complete the plowing curb-to-curb on
the return round.

After the primary and secondary routes are cleared, all township owned parking lots and sidewalks must be cleared.

H.    Additional Operators Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the individual driver to maintain ballast on plow trucks, to make sure blades are attached
and chains are installed if necessary and fluid levels checked before reporting to their scheduled area.

Operators will at all times use care to insure that the snow is not pushed onto the sidewalks anymore than necessary
to clear the cartway.

I.    Additional Supervisory Responsibilities
The public works director must use his/her own judgment as to the number of employees to be called.

If only a few bad spots exist, the call should be for the employees who live closest to the job.

If there is a continuing storm and a full crew is needed, the employees will be called in order so that the employees
living the greatest distance from towns will be called first and those living closest are called last to arrive at the
garage.