It’s January, and winter has officially started. Ahead are several months of colder temperatures and the continuing possibility of snow and ice storms.
Many of us, especially if we grew up in this part of the country, remember the excitement of waking up to snow and wondering if school would be delayed or, even better, closed for the day. And for those who do not have to leave in the morning, a snow day may be a good excuse to sit in a warm home and watch the world outside.
One group that cannot stay at home on snowy days is the Hopewell Township Department of Public Works. Public Works is responsible for plowing and deicing 288 lane miles of Township roadways, along with municipal parking lots and walkways.
Preparations for winter start in the fall with planning, training, marking catch basins, stockpiling salt, and ordering plow parts. Plow routes and salt routes are reviewed to optimize resources. Crews make sure the trucks, deicing equipment, and plows are storm ready.
When winter weather is forecast, Public Works is ready to act. Vehicles receive a pre-trip inspection, and a pre-storm meeting is held to prepare a plan. Trucks are loaded with salt to facilitate a quick response to icing conditions. Our tandem truck holds twice as much salt as a standard truck, which allows twice the amount of roadway to be treated before returning for more salt. “Studies have shown … that being proactive rather than reactive can reduce costs substantially … and also reduce the total quantity of salt used during a storm by up to a factor of four,” reads The Snowfighter’s Handbook; A Practical Guide for Snow and Ice Control. This is important for both cost and environmental reasons.
Once ice and snow fall, Public Works’ first priority is to facilitate passage for first responders; the police, fire, EMS and electric and gas company vehicles. The second responsibility is to clean the road for drainage. This is especially important in a storm, because melting ice and snow needs a place to go. Otherwise, water will freeze on the roads. And the team works to provide safe travel for residents, commuters and commerce.
While Public Works takes great care to avoid causing damage, every now and then the weight and velocity of snow coming off of a plow may knock over a mailbox. This is a good time to ensure mailboxes are secured and any rotten posts replaced. If a mailbox is damaged by a plow, contact Public Works. The team will temporarily repair mailboxes so mail can be received. Once the ground thaws, damaged mailboxes or posts are replaced with standard USPS-approved mailboxes and wooden posts.
After plowing is done, post-storm staff meetings are held to review the storm’s timing, salting routes and plow routes. Public Works is always looking for ways to improve the process and to get the roads cleaned as quickly as possible.
With snow and ice come potholes, which develop in the winter due to freeze/thaw cycles. The Public Works team uses a scientifically created cold patch to repair potholes in winter, as area asphalt plants close during cold months. Potholes should be reported to Public Works.
Christmas trees are collected curbside after the holiday. The last day to place trees out for collection is Jan. 15. Trees must be completely free of decorations. Many are trucked to the shore to create natural dune protection, while the remainder are recycled into wood chips. In both cases, decorations on the trees interfere. Residents may take recycled wood chips stockpiled behind the skate park between Public Works and the Police Department. Chips are available year-round until the supply is exhausted.
A portal is available to make Public Works service requests. Go to Public Works at hopewelltwp.org/PublicWorks, and follow the link to the SDL portal. Residents can report potholes, drainage issues, tree branches, water and sewer problems, and other concerns that need Public Works’ attention. The location can be identified by an address or selected on an interactive map. The portal allows uploads of pictures, letters, and other documents to help Public Works understand the work that is needed. Public Works can also be contacted at (609) 537-0250 and publicworks@hopewelltwp.org.
Michael Ruger is a member of the Hopewell Township Committee. Hopewell Township provided this content.
A snow plow in Hopewell.,
