UPDATE: All Norristown Streets Receive 'Initial' Plowing; Removal Set To Begin

NORRISTOWN, PA -- In the wake of complaints from residents around the borough about unplowed streets and continually hazardous conditions, Norristown released an updated snow removal plan on Monday night.

The borough said that public works crews have been “working diligently” for 72 hours straight.

“Of course, in a densely populated, urban environment with many narrow streets, the challenge is a major undertaking for a small operation,” said Crandall Jones, Norristown’s municipal administrator. “Although the mission is huge and we apologize for the inconvenience it has caused some residents, we can report that, at this point, all streets in the Municipality have had an initial plowing. The plan going forward is to initiate snow removal so that curb-to-curb plowing can get underway.”

Jones said that multiple contractors had been hired to remove snow, and that they began their work at about 8 p.m. Monday night.

No specific timetable was given, although Jones noted the crews would continue for the next two days as necessary.

For some residents, it may be too little, too late.

“I think some accountability is in order here,” said Jim Paupst.

“This has been the worst public works performance I’ve ever seen,” said Howard McClure. “There’s no excuse for this. In previous storms, borough hall was operational and you could see plow trucks going in and out throughout the entire storm. (This time), nothing till early Sunday morning...All involved should be fired.”

Removal will occur from 8 p.m. until 5 p.m. to limit the affect on traffic.

Monday night snow removal focused on the following areas:

• Airy – Arch to Barbadoes
• Swede – Main to Lafayette
• DeKalb – Lafayette to Chestnut
• Main – Markley to Ford
• Curb-to-curb snow removal and plowing operations throughout residential areas, beginning with areas deemed most critical and continuing through the rest of the borough

The Norristown Police Department will contact residents on a block-by-block basis to notify them to remove their vehicles in advance of their respective block’s removal and plowing activity.

If residents have any questions or concerns, they are asked to call Public Works at 610-270-0437, or the police dispatch number at 610-270-0977.

Jones noted that residents can also download the Norristown App to keep abreast of what’s happening, and to notify the borough of issues, concerns and requests.

Officials are asking individuals not contracted by the municipality to refrain from plowing.

All on-street parking regulations have been suspended until further notice.

Abandoned and improperly parked vehicles that inhibit plowing and snow removal will continue to be towed, officials said.

Image courtesy Peggy Boyer.