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1. Why doesn't the Town plow residential streets after every storm?

Policy is that residential streets are only plowed after a storm leaving more than 4” of snow and only after the Priority 1 & 2 streets are completely cleared. The only residential streets that you may see plowed are those in front of schools. For more information, please refer to the Town snow removal priorities.

2. You said you plowed my street, but there is still snow on it. Why don’t you plow down to pavement?

There are two reasons for this. First, plows used on streets will only move loose material (such as unpacked snow or melting ice) and cannot break through hard-packed snow or ice. Even heavy equipment, such as graders and front end loaders, cannot break through the hard-packed snow or ice unless some melting occurs during the warmer hours of the winter days. Heavy equipment is expensive and availability is limited. Second, plow blades are not set directly on the pavement in order to avoid hitting manholes, valves or other obstructions in the street that would damage equipment and possibly injure personnel.

3. Why do plows cover over the areas I just shoveled? Am I responsible for those areas?

Due to the miles of roadway being plowed and the size of the snow removal crew it is extremely difficult to avoid making a snow ridge along sidewalks and driveway entrances. Snow ridge removal is the responsibility of each property owner or tenant.

4. My neighbors never clear their sidewalk? What can I do?

Residents are required by Town Code to clear their sidewalk within 24 hours of the end of a storm. If you are concerned about uncleared sidewalks you can contact Code Enforcement with the Police Department at (970) 587-5555.

5. Who is responsible for clearing Town-owned sidewalks?

Town owned sidewalks are cleared by the same snow removal crews or contractors referred to above.

6. What material does the Town use for de-icing the streets?

The Town uses de-icing salt and sand mix on the streets. The Town purchases the de-icer pre-mixed in accordance with CDOT established standards.

7. There is a lot of ice build-up on the curb and gutters, and now is forming over the sidewalk. Will the Town do something?

At the end of the storm and after all plowing operations have ceased, Town personnel will systematically begin to examine storm drains and crosspans to determine if they need to be cleared. If you wish to report a problem, see the contact information below.

8. Who do I call to report street problems?

You should contact the Public Works Director, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Town Hall, at 587-4664. If you encounter an emergency situation after hours, call 911.

9. Why is only the center of the street plowed on residential streets?

Residential streets will only be plowed in the event of a major snow storm (see Town snow removal policy for details). When conditions warrant, residential streets will be plowed to give residents access to the secondary and primary streets. Plowing from curb to curb is not practical because it would require more time and moving of many vehicles that park on the streets. When plowing down the middle of residential streets is required, piles of snow called “windrows” are often created that can block private driveways. Clearing the snow from driveways is the responsibility of the property owners.

10. I saw a Town snowplow driving around during the storm with its blade up. Why wasn’t it plowing?

It is the goal of the Town to plow streets systematically based on traffic volume. When snowplows are moving from one location to another, or returning to refuel or have more de-icing material loaded on the truck, they will travel with their plow blades up.

11. The Post Office has told me they will not deliver mail because of the snow in front of the mailboxes. What will the Town do?

The sidewalks in front of these cluster mailboxes are the responsibility of either the homeowners associations or the property owners adjacent to the boxes. The clearing of the sidewalks around mailboxes at individual resident properties is the responsibility of the property owner.