Snowstorm FAQ/ Prepare Your Home for winter:
Which roads are plowed first?
Of the more than 100 miles of roads that we maintain during the winter months (80+ miles of Township roads & 20 miles of PennDOT roads) during a storm, the major roads in the Township (Rte. 63, Rte. 113, Wambold Rd., Oak Dr., etc.) are given the highest priority to make travel safer for emergency vehicles, school buses, and the motoring public. Next are the secondary and collector roads (Maple, Kulp, Yoder, Morris, Cressman, Kinsey, and others) are prioritized, followed by the neighborhood streets and cul-de-sacs. These priorities align with the volume of traffic that use the roads in the Township. From the time it stops snowing, it takes approximately 9 hours for all the roads to be plowed during a normal 3” to 6” snowstorm. During any given storm, we have the capability to deploy more than 15 plow vehicles and equipment.
As an aside, we are always looking for qualified part-time plow drivers. If interested, please contact the Township for more information.
What responsibilities do I have as a homeowner to clear snow?
Remove snow and ice from your sidewalks within 10 hours after a snowfall. If the snow occurs after 6 p.m., you have until 11 a.m. the next morning to salt and shovel.
Please keep in mind that the Township Trail System closed during inclement weather and no snow & ice control operations are performed.
Help out the Fire Department by digging out the snow by the fire hydrant near your home. A few extra minutes then, can save valuable time in the case of a fire.
We also ask that you help us. We do our best to provide our residents and the motoring public with the most efficient and effective service possible, and you can help by not parking your vehicles on the street during snow events. We recognize that off-street parking is at a premium in some neighborhoods, anything you can do to clear the street makes our jobs so much more efficient and provides for a better end result.
Also please understand that those who live on “Snow Emergency” routes, are required to remove their vehicles from the street during a declared snow emergency. The list of those streets can be found using this link. https://ecode360.com/9509631#9509633
Why do plows push snow back onto my sidewalk/driveway?
The Public Works Department’s practice is to plow every street from curb to curb, or from edge of pavement to edge of pavement. There are several reasons for this. First, it allows for the full use of our roads. It provides for uninterrupted mail delivery. It clears snow from storm drains and drainage swales. And it provides plow drivers a place to put future snowfalls.
We understand the frustration of shoveling your driveway only to have it plowed in again. However, if your street is not plowed for its full width, there is a very good chance that the plow trucks will be back to make sure it is.
Why does the street still have snow on it after being plowed?
Regardless how good a job the Public Works Department does in plowing your street, there will almost always be some residual snow left behind. For most snow events, all streets are salted after being plowed for the last time to melt any remaining snow.
There are times when the remaining snow is not plowing residual, but snow from snow blowers or shovelers clearing driveway and sidewalks. Please understand that Section 140-28 of our ordinance states, “It shall be unlawful to throw, shovel or plow snow into or upon any roads and streets within the Township from adjoining property”.
How can I stay informed about winter weather updates?
Any winter weather updates will be posted across various sites such as ReadyMontco, Constant Contact, social media, and our website!
What materials are used for de-icing roads?
The Township uses salt brine (diluted rock salt) in our anti-icing/preventative efforts before select storms. There are a number of factors that go into the decision to apply salt brine, such as storm timing, forecast certainty, type of precipitation, and resources. Each storm is different, so we tailor our approach accordingly.
During the storm, rock salt (sodium chloride) is used to melt the fallen snow and/or ice. When temperatures drop into the teens and single digits, we supplement our rock salt with calcium chloride, which has a lower effective temperature to combat the colder weather.
What is the Township Mailbox Policy?
Mailbox installations are permitted within the right-of-way of Lower Salford Township’s public roads but must adhere to specific standards to avoid safety hazards and ensure mail delivery, with all installations at the owner's risk. Homeowners are responsible for securely fastening mailboxes, which should be 41 to 45 inches off the ground and set back 6 to 8 inches from the rear face of curb, or edge of pavement, as damage from snow discharged by plows is not eligible for reimbursement, except in cases of direct contact by Township vehicles. If a mailbox is struck by a Township plow, it must be reported within 48 hours, and reimbursement up to $50 may be provided if the installation complies with U.S. Postal Service guidelines.
How can I prepare my house for the winter?
Check all the weather-stripping around windows and door frames for leaks to prevent heat loss. Replace weather-stripping if needed. Shut off exterior faucets. Drain water from outdoor pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads to protect against pipe bursts.
Where can I drop off Leaves and Yard Waste?
The Township provides a leaf/yard waste (no grass clippings) drop-off location in the back parking lot at the Township Building, 379 Main Street. Leaves and yard waste in biodegradable bags may be deposited in the containers at no cost throughout the year. Biodegradable bags may be purchased at the Township Municipal Building (2 bags for $1 or 50 bags for $22).
What about my Christmas Tree?
Trees free of decorations, rope, and wires can be dropped off during daylight hours at Jacob Reiff Park in the parking lot off Upper Mainland Road through February 28. The trees will be chipped and used for mulch throughout the Township’s Park system.
Please email township@lowersalfordtownship.org for any other questions.
