Ramsey Resident - 2005 - January/February

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SNOWPLOW TRUCKS: A WORD To THE WISE 7 SNOWMOBILE SEASON: *~* '* WHAT You NEED To KNOW. The following information should help you understand the current city ordinances and state laws that regulate the operation of snowmobiles and other recreational vehicles in the City of Ramsey. WHEN CAN WE SNOWMOBILE? . Between the hours of8:00 AM to 11 :00 PM Sunday through Thursday. . Between the hours of 8:00 AM Friday to 1 :00 AM Saturday. . Between the hours of8:00 AM Saturday to 1 :00 AM Sunday. . One half-hour after sunset to one half-hour before sunrise you MUST operate your snowmobile in the same direction as traffic flow on State Trunk Highways and County State Aid roads (MN State Statute 84.87) WHERE CAN WE SNOWMOBILE? . You can snowmobile on your own property. . On the property of another person if you have IN YOUR POSSESSION written permission of the owner of that land. . On the land of a person who has clearly visible signs allowing snowmobiles. . You can operate on public trails that are designated by the City Council. Ramsey has NONE of these trails in the City limits. . Right-hand portion of roadway in MUSA area (not on right of way or ditch area). . On lakes that are subj ect to the City's jurisdiction. The only lal(e of this type in Ramsey is Emerald Pond. . On the bottom or outside slops of ditch area of State Trunl( Highways and County State Aid roads. . On the right-of-ways of City streets in NON-MUSA AREAS. WHERE IS IT ILLEGAL TO SNOWMOBILE? . On someone's land without his or her permission. . City Parks. You may operate on the water of Emerald Pond but NOT in the park area. . Railroad right-of-ways. . Golf Courses. . School grounds. . Tree nurseries or planted areas. . In the median or area between opposing lanes of traffi c. . On the right-of ways of City streets INSIDE the MUSA area. Continued on Page 8 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 trucl(s, 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 trucks. 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 bacl( 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! ICE RINK SCHEDULE AND CLOSING GUIDELINES Ice rinks at Ramsey Elementary School (15100 N owthen Boulevard N. W.) and Central Parl( (7925 161 st Avenue N.W.) are open weekdays from 3:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (10 p.m. ifneeded); Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; and Sundays from noon to 8:00 p.m. Rinks will be closed if: o Temperatures are 10 degrees below zero or lower, and expected to remain so. o Attendant may close if weather conditions become severe and are expected to remain so. o Temperatures are 32 degrees or above. Murphy s Law holds no more than 80 percent of the time; unfortunately it is impossible to predict when. - Wayne Boucher