Ramsey Resident - 2022 - March/April

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Fixin' the Roads: Ramsey's Approach to Pothole Patching Streets Supervisor Shane Turner pulls in to the Public needed,but this method is typically only used as a last Works garage at 7:00 am. Coffee in hand,he's ready to resort. review the long list of pothole patching requests that have These methods are only used by City workers on City rolled in after a long,Minnesota winter. streets."We do not work on any highways or County He rounds up a team of three streets maintenance roads;that's not within our jurisdiction;'Turner said.One workers to start patching potholes."Our work is driven by way to tell whose responsibility any given road is,is to the requests that come in from the residents and anything check the color of the street sign—if it's blue,it's a private my supervisor(Public Works Superintendent)would like road and if it's green,it's the City's.generally. fixed;' Turner said. The pothole patching process works perfectly if the But before he can begin,Turner takes the trip to the team of five streets maintenance workers remains at full closest,open asphalt plant in the state,located in St.Paul. staffing levels.When the crew falls ill,takes vacation time, Ramsey's asphalt truck can carry up to four tons of hot finds new employment or is pulled off the job the system mix at a time.Once he returns with the truck,he sends the runs into hiccups. team out to start patching. Turner said the crew can get pulled off the job for One maintenance worker leads the way with a leaf several reasons."A lot of the work we do is weather de- blower,clearing the debris from the holes to ensure the pendent;'he said."So if we get a strong storm that comes patch bonds with the existing asphalt.The blower also through,for example,and we were in the middle of a helps dry up any moisture that has settled in the pothole. patching job,we've got to hit the pause button on that "Moisture completely destroys pavement;'Turner said. work and clear fallen trees,clear and repair storm basins Next in line is the"shoveler."This person is responsible — anything that's going to negatively impact the safety of for shoveling the asphalt out from the back of the truck residents,we have to address first.' into the pothole.The next person works behind the shov- Beyond those things,the department also handles eler to flatten and smooth the holes with a plate packer. clearing brush or cutting trees in the City right-of-way, The team stops every 30 feet or so to hop in the asphalt replacing damaged street signs,clearing storm sediment truck and move it up the next stretch of road. ponds,removing illegal dumping of trash or other debris "That is our process for patching in the spring," in the road right-of-way and much more. Turner said. "If we have to patch in the winter,that's a The City maintains approximately 188 miles of road- whole different ballgame."The crew can use a"cold patch" way. In 2021,the City moved 209 tons of asphalt material which,according to Turner,is somewhat of a Band-aid.A — the highest in Ramsey's history.To learn more about the cold patch has a much higher oil content and can be kept City's pothole patching process,contact Streets Supervisor anywhere from 80-90 degrees (unlike the hot mix which Shane Turner at 763-433-9884 or sturner@cityoframsey. needs to be kept upwards of 300 degrees).The crew keeps com. a trailer full of cold patch material in instances where Spring Water Main Flushing in April The City of Ramsey's Utilities Department will be flushing water mains beginning Monday, 4 April 4 through April 29.This necessary,semi-annual process helps to eliminate naturally occurring iron deposits that have settled to the bottom of the water main pipes.Flushing the pipes creates a disturbance in the system and may cause your water to be discolored.While it may be unsightly,the water is fit for human consumption. Use caution when washing clothes as iron can cause them to be discolored.If you are able,you may want to fill your washer before adding clothes.We appreci- ate your patience and regret any inconvenience this may cause.If you have any questions regarding __ `'y water main flushing,contact Utilities Supervisor John Nelson at 763-433-9861 or jnelson@cityof-- ramsey.com. wl"At