WINTER MAINTENANCE
North Londonderry Township snow removal crews are dedicated to providing quality snow removal during each winter storm. It is necessary for crews to be able to clear as much snow from the streets as possible so that traffic can flow safely and freely. Snow that cannot be removed from streets often present hazardous conditions for vehicles and pedestrians when it melts and refreezes. Plows are not capable of lifting and carrying snow away from an area, rather, they push snow to the side of the road, opening up roads in a timely manner. Roadways are typically plowed when three or more inches have accumulated, however, each individual storm is unique.
If snow/ice is in the forecast, we ask that all residents take initiative and remove vehicles from the roadway. This allows crews to do a thorough clean-up or treatment of the precipitation on the roadway. Vehicles parked on streets reduce the effectiveness of our maintenance and cause delays. Imagine...with no vehicles parked on roads, how soon we can have ALL Township streets clear for safe travel. This also minimizes resources by limiting clean-up efforts to what is necessary rather than returning for spots that were impossible to reach or unavailable during the initial pass. PLEASE, do not park cars near or on top of storm drains. In large storms, crews specifically return to remove snow from these areas to prevent flooding.
The following is a list of roads that are NOT maintained by the Township. If the road you live on is on the following list, winter maintenance will be conducted by the State Department of Transportation. Contact PennDOT (Click on 'Winter Services' for some frequently asked questions and answers) at 1-800-349-7623 or their Lebanon office at 272-6637 with any questions or concerns.
If you happen to reside in a recently established development, check with the developer to verify if the road in front of your home will be maintained by a private company or North Londonderry Township. Roadways are not maintained or held under Township responsibility until it has been dedicated to the Township. Roads are dedicated when the final wearing course has been laid. Look for the abscence of this layer as an indication for who may be maintaining your road for the winter season.
Township procedure calls for each individual street to be plowed from curb to curb prior to continuing to the next street. Main arterial roads have priority over secondary routes and since cul-de-sacs are not thru-ways for a majority of motorists, they receive last priority. Many cul-de-sacs are designed to provide at least two (2) easement areas for snow removal within the radius of the cul-de-sac. The Township is divided among plow drivers to maintain. Each driver is assigned a route to follow in each section of the Township. If a snow removal truck is seen with the plow risen, this does NOT indicate the work on the road is complete. The truck may be retruning to refuel, is in need of service, or is in need of additional treatment material. It is also possible that the driver is responding to a call to assist Emergency Services.
One of the inconveniences of the snow removal season is the potential for plowed snow to fall back into a cleared driveway as a plow passes. We hope for your understanding and ask you to refer to the diagram below for assistance with this matter. To minimize the amount of snow returning to a cleared driveway entrance, pile removed snow on the side of the driveway opposite the direction of a passing plow. This minimizes the amount of snow that has been cleared from falling back into the driveway, though it may not work 100% in all circumstances. Township snow removal crews do not clear driveway entrances. PLEASE NOTE: If you take this option and a void is created, it will need to be maintained and cleared to make room for each accumulation of snow. If you wish to clear your driveway prior to the plow's completion and final pass, we recommend you leave the area next to the street - roughly 10 feet from the entrance of your driveway - uncleared to prevent repeat work and stress.
NOTE: It is unlawful for any person while plowing, shoveling or blowing snow to place, push or throw any snow, ice or debris upon any street or highway within North Londonderry Township. Enforceable by Ordinance #103 dated April 12, 1994.
Sidewalks adjoining any property are required to be cleared of snow within twenty-four (24) hours after the end of snowfall. The cleared path should measure three (3) feet in width and run the entire length of the sidewalk. Owners or occupants found in violation will be held accountable before a District Justice. Enforceable by Ordinance #37 dated April 10, 1979. The Township also asks residents to remove snow around fire hydrants so they are accessible in case of emergency.
Before the snow season, residents are urged to ensure their mailbox is secured to a firm post. Residents are responsible for the repair or replacement of mailboxes and/or posts if they have fallen due to the force of plowed snow. North Londonderry Township repairs or replaces only mailboxes and/or posts that are actually struck by the plow blade. Mailboxes and supporting posts should be installed to withstand the rigors of snow removal. Stationary items placed in the right-of-way, such as brick/stone mailbox enclosures, basketball nets, etc. are placed there at the owners risk. Any damage incurred to these items or Township equipment will be repaired at the owner's expense. Property owners are encouraged to install mailboxes at the maximum usable distance from the edge of the roadway.