Just In Case: Orange Snow Removal Policy

The Department of Public Works reminds residents of the following information regarding the snow plowing policy, the snow removal policy and advice on protecting your mailbox — if we happen to get any snow this season.

According to Highway Foreman Don Foyer, there are more than 110 miles of streets in the town of Orange.

During a storm, snow removal can cost up to $2,500.00 per hour. Therefore, it is important for the Department of Public Works to use its resources wisely with cooperation from the residents to minimize the cost.

Plow Routes

The streets are plowed and sanded in order of priority. Main (collector) roads are addressed first with special attention to steep hills and difficult intersections. Side streets are done next, then dead-end streets.

Side streets will remain unplowed if the main roads require repeat plowing due to heavy volume of snowfall. This may not seem fair to the residents of side streets or dead-ends. However, the main roads must remain open.

Private Plowing

The town of Orange prohibits private plow contractors from pushing snow from private driveways or parking lots onto Town streets. This practice is dangerous and impedes the town's snow removal efforts.

If there is no other alternative to pushing the snow into the street, the plow driver must plow any snow left across the street by re-plowing until the road is safe. This may not necessarily mean bare pavement, but certainly it should be no worse than when the driver began work.

Blocked Driveways

All snowplows angle the same way; to the driver's right. While plowing, the plow will push the snow in front of a residential driveway. The homeowner is responsible for access to his/her driveway. The only way to avoid additional snow removal is to wait until the work crews have completed their final clean up of your road.

Mailbox Damage

The Highway Department does not replace mailboxes or posts. If the slush from the snowplows knocks off a mailbox or breaks a post, the homeowner is responsible.

The town repairs or replaces only those mailboxes and/or posts that are actually struck by the plow blade. Usually, a paint mark or tire tracks provide evidence of a mailbox strike. The town does not repair or replace mailboxes and/or posts that fall from the force of plowed snow.

Only if the Highway Department initiates contact with the homeowner will the post be repaired or the box replaced. Slush and snow thrown from the plows is unavoidable. It is up to the homeowner to take preventative steps to protect their mailbox.

The Highway Department suggests you do not use plastic mailboxes or posts. The plastic cannot withstand frigid cold temperatures. When slush or snow impacts cold plastic the plastic will shatter.

Mailboxes and supporting posts must be installed to withstand the rigors of snow removal; including the force of snow pushed from the street onto the roadside.

Foyer recommends the use of a 4-x 4-inch wooden post or 2-inch metal pipe with a metal mailbox.

Snow Removal Ordinance: Parking

The Snow Removal Ordinance runs from Nov. 1 through April 1.

During this time, no parking is allowed on public roads during snowstorms and when storms are forecasted to begin during the night.

Residents who have a particular problem with off-street parking should seek the advice of the Police Department and not disregard the provisions of the Snow Removal Ordinance.

Should your vehicle be parked on the street causing an obstruction to snow removal vehicles, your vehicle may be ticketed or removed by the police department. The cost of removal and any other subsequent fees would be the vehicle owner's responsibility.

Snow Stakes

The Highway Department reminds Orange residents to install "snow stakes" before the ground freezes. It is difficult to distinguish between the pavement edge and the edge of a lawn in heavy snowfall. Installing stakes along property edges as close to pavement as possible without interfering with traffic will help homeowners avoid unsightly

lawn damage this winter, especially for properties with underground sprinklers or invisible fencing. Snow stakes should be 30-36-inch high and can be purchased at a local hardware store. If using wooden stakes, paint the top three-inches of the stakes red to increase visibility against snow. Residents who feel they have a legitimate complaint should call the Public Works Department at 203-891-4775.