MONROE The first snowfall of the season a substantial 12 to 15 inches Saturday resulted in clear roads by 6 that night.
By:Al Wicklund
MONROE The first snowfall of the season a substantial 12 to 15 inches Saturday resulted in clear roads by 6 that night.
Ernie Feist, township engineer and the township’s new Public Works director, told the Township Council Wednesday the Public Works crew did a good job in handling the snow last weekend.
“But on some streets the goal of curb-to-curb clearing was hindered by parked cars,” he said.
Mayor Richard Pucci said the relatively light snowfalls of the past two winters may have caused some residents to forget what they need to do to help the township’s work crews.
Mr. Feist said that when snow starts to fall, cars should be parked in garages, driveways or some other safe place off the street.
The Public Works director also said his department has received complaints about snow not being cleared from sidewalks in front of some residences.
“Now that schools have reopened after the holiday break, the safety of children who walk to school adds to the importance of having sidewalks free of snow and ice,” he said. “We don’t want children making a practice of walking in the street.”
Mr. Feist added that a township ordinance requires residents to clear snow from their sidewalks within 12 hours of the end of a snowfall.
“If the sidewalks haven’t been shoveled in that time, the township has the authority the clear off the snow and charge the costs to the resident,” he said.
Mr. Feist said the depth of snow varied in the township from 12 to 15 inches.
“I measured 13 inches at my home in the southern part of the township,” he said.
Council President Henry Miller and other council members commended the Public Works crews on their Saturday work.
Mr. Feist said some crew members worked 16 hours that day.
“The roads were open at all times and by 6 p.m. the roads were cleared,” he said.
Janet Pullen, day supervisor of the township ambulance service, said there were no reports of the service’s vehicles being unable to respond to calls.
“It seems the roads were in good shape. We had a response vehicle with a snowplow ready, just in case,” she said.
Mayor Pucci said the Middlesex County workers did a good job in clearing the county roads in the township. Mr. Feist said he had no complaints about travel on Route 33, a highway owned and maintained by the state.