Ramsey Resident - 2003 - November/December

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3 CITY POLICY ON SNOW REMOVAL, ICE CONTROL The control of snow and ice through quicl( and effective snowplowing ensures safe transportation for citizens, emergency vehicles, and the ongoing commercial activity in Ramsey. Due to the significant amount of public dollars spent on these services, it is the city's goal to manage and operate winter road maintenance in an efficient and cost- effective manner. Because timing is critical for snow and ice control, the City's goal is to achieve roads clear of snow in a reasonable time period. This is always dependent upon the type and amount of snow. The City cannot guarantee bare, dry pavement after each snowfall, or that streets will be totally free of ice or other driving hazards common to Minnesota winter conditions. Snowplowing begins after the accumulation of two inches of snow. It tal(es City crews approximately eight hours to clear streets after a "normal" snowfall of two to four inches. During major snow accumulations, emergency plowing operations usually begin about 2:00 a.m. In those situations, lead personnel will begin plowing as soon as possible so that primary arterial roadways are passable by morning "rush hours". The City is divided into seven routes. Major collector streets are plowed first. Other streets are plowed in an order determined by the driver for the quickest and most practical way to open all roads. Cul-de-sacs and short, dead-end streets are divided into five routes and are plowed with different plows, adding speed and efficiency to the operation. Ice control consists of distributing a salt or salt/sand mixture when and where the Police and Public Works departments deem necessary. The City sands all main intersections, dangerous curves, and steep grades as needed to control traffic. Because temperature determines the effectiveness of a salt/sand mixture, sanding will not be done on extremely cold days except in emergency situations. Some of the main intersections along State and County roads are sanded as they are plowed. Others are sanded after all roads are cleared of snow, because the sand is needed for wieght on the trucl(s. During ice storms when no plowing is occurring, intersections along the State and County roads are sanded first and all others are sanded immediately thereafter. SNOWPLOW TRUCKS: A WORD To THE WISE Winter requires Minnesota motorists to switch to a new driving mode, including using extra caution when snowplows are operating. Motorists are advised to: . Reduce your speed. Plows travel slower than other vehicles. For example, if a snowplow is moving at 15 mph and a car behind the plow is traveling at 45 mph, the car will close the distance to the plow at a rate of 44 feet per second. . Avoid driving into a snowcloud. Large vehicles, such as snowplows and semi-trailer trucks, may produce dense clouds of blowing snow, called "whiteouts," and hinder the vision of motorists. Keep a safe distance away from a snowcloud and do not attempt to pass it until the blowing conditions have changed. '*' Be certain which lane a snowplow and its blade are in before trying to pass. Snowplow trucks may have a plow blade on either the right or left side of the vehicle. Motorists should use extreme caution when passing a snowplow. ~I~ Plow drivers have limited visibility and they cannot see directly behind their trucl(s. Plus, plows can suddenly move sideways from hitting drifts or by cutting through pacl(ed snow. Motorists are advised not to travel next to a plow. . Stay back far enough from plows to avoid having your vehicle hit by sanding material or any built-up ice or snow that could fall off these trucks. Remember: snowplows are on the roadway to make your winter driving conditions safer, not to aggrevate motorists. Wear your seatbelt and always allow extra time to reach your destination. And, be patient! BOULEVARD STAKING POLICY City of Ramsey policy prohibits the use of metal fence posts and other non-breakaway materials in the public right of way. City staff will remove materials that pose a threat to public safety or interfere with maintenance operations. Wooden lath are available in limited quantities at City Hall for use in marking the boulevard for snow removal purposes. Small fiberglass poles and aluminum poles with reflectors may also be used, but will be the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain. The purpose of the policy is to remove staking from the public right of way that causes an unnecessary threat to public safety and which hinders snow removal operations. Ultimately, the only power to which man should aspire is that which he exercises over himself. - Elie Weisel