As you may be aware, the Lower Heidelberg Township Road Department takes care of plowing snow from the 32.44 miles of Township roads every winter. The Road Department consisting of full-time and part-time personnel, are known throughout Berks County as one of the best Departments for how well they respond to the inclement weather events. The Department works long hours to ensure the roads are plowed and/or treated to provide safe traveling throughout the Township, In the past few years with the addition of new roads to be maintained by the Department, some safety issues have developed. In order to best help the Road Department to clear the roads in your area, I have been asked to relay the following items as we need you to do your part:
- Do not park on the street during a forecasted snowfall. There have been an increasing number of instances of residents parking their vehicles on the street prior to or during a forecasted snowfall (particularly in cul-de-sacs and on narrow residential streets). Doing so substantially impedes the ability of the Road Crew to safely maneuver the snow plow down your street. If faced with this situation, the snow plow driver may be forced to not plow your street altogether, or snow thrown from the Dlow mav damage the vehicle (for which the Township is immune from liability). Please do not be the neighbor whose car prevented or delayed the snow plow from plowing your street. Please instead wait to move any vehicles onto the roadway until after the snow has stopped and the plows have been through your neighborhood.
Do not shovel or plow snow from your driveway onto the street. Doing so creates dangerous icy and snowy patches on the road pavement, and, when/if the snow plow comes back through your neighborhood, the snow will just be pushed back onto the driveway or sidewalk areas anyhow. Look for the November 2018 Newsletter which includes a diagram on how best to clear your driveway and sidewalks to minimize the amount of snow that is pushed back into your driveway.
- If a Snow Emergency has been declared and you are on a Snow Emergency Route, please move your vehicle off the Snow Emergency Route until the Snow Emergency has been lifted. The Board of Supervisors will be implementing a revised Ordinance that will clearly outline all ofthe relevant towing charges that must be paid by the vehicle owner to release the vehicle from the towing compound, as well as an increased fine for leaving the vehicle on the Snow Emergency Route during a declared Snow Emergency. The fine and the towing charges could total to be $275.00 or more.
- Safety Concerns for the Road Department and Traveling Public. If the vehicles are not moved off of the Snow Emergency Route and/or people shovel snow and ice back onto the roadway after the plow has passed these conditions all contribute to add up to be safety issues for the Road Department and travelling public. Vehicles that are left on the Snow Emergency Route are obstructions to the plow truck driver and could be a cause for an accident. Snow and ice put back into the roadway could become a sheet of ice especially if the snow and ice was placed after the plow passed.
- Do not park near or over storm drains. Doing so may prevent crews from clearing snow and ice over them, which can lead to flooding from melting snow runoff.
- Do not approach moving snow removal equipment. Just because you can see the driver, does not mean that the driver can see you.
We all thank you in advance for your cooperation to keep our Road Department safe while they strive to keep you and your loved ones safe when traveling in the beautiful Lower Heidelberg Township. If you have any questions, or need anything clarified, please do not hesitate to contact the Township offices at 610-678-3393.
MAILBOX POLICY
The Township’s policy regarding damage to mailboxes during the snow season is as follows:
Residents must understand that nine times out of ten, the amount and weight of the snow is to blame and not the actual plow blade hitting the mailbox. The township will not be responsible for damage done by the weight of the snow.
If the damage is actually done by the plow hitting the mailbox, the resident must take a picture of the damage and submit it to the Township Office within 48 hours of the incident; along with the following information: resident’s name, address, contact phone number and the date and time of the incident. After the Township receives the submitted photo and information, our truck camera footage will be reviewed for the date and time in question.
If it is determined that the damage was caused by the plow hitting the mailbox, the resident will be eligible for reimbursement for the cost of the damaged mailbox upon presentation of the original receipt. If the original receipt is not available, the resident will be reimbursed twenty-five dollars ($25).
If it is determined that damage was caused by the weight of the snow, the Township will not present a reimbursement for the damage.
SNOW EMERGENCY ROUTES
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Atlantic Avenue * Baltic Avenue * Bayberry Lane
Baywood Avenue * Bittner Avenue * Boardwalk
Brownsville Road * Colorado Avenue * Connecticut Avenue
Daniel Street * East Charles Street * East College Avenue
East Wilson Avenue * Erich Street * Fairwood Avenue
Firethorn Lane * Foxtail Place * Grande Boulevard
Green Valley Road * Harwood Lane * Hill Terrace Drive
Illinois Avenue * Indiana Avenue * Kentucky Avenue
Laura Court * Lengle Avenue * Leslie Street
Mediterranean Avenue * New York Avenue * North Carolina Avenue
North Church Road * North Elm Street * North Fairwood Avenue
Pacific Avenue * Park Place Drive * Pennsylvania Avenue
Pine Street * Reber’s Bridge Road * Russell Street
Ruth Street * Sabrina Street * Saddlebrook Drive
St. Gian Court * St. James Place * States Avenue
State Hill Road * Stitzer Avenue * Sweetwater Lane
Tennessee Avenue * Timberlake Lane * Valley Court
Ventnor Avenue * Vermont Avenue * Virginia Avenue
West Charles Street * West College Avenue * Wisteria Lane
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