Warminster Prepared To Tackle Weekend Storm

WARMINSTER, PA —If it snows, the township's public works department is ready to go.

Most municipalities haven't had to deal with snow for some time over the past year or so, but with this weekend's forecast, towns like Warminster Township are springing to action.

"Prep is underway," Township Manager Tom Scott told Patch Thursday.

Winter months present not only a unique challenge but also an opportunity for the township and residents to work together in the common goal of safe, timely, and efficient snow removal. The following information will be useful to township residents regarding best practices and also requirements during a snow or ice event, Scott said.

Township Responsibilities

The Warminster Township Public Works Department is responsible for the safe, efficient snow removal operations that cover more than 100 miles of township roads.

For some storms, subcontractors are brought in to assist and clear the roads as soon as possible. The township is divided into sectors that are assigned to individual teams of plow trucks. Roads considered to be “main arteries,” emergency response routes and emergency centers, and school bus routes will be considered top priority during plowing operations.

Main arteries are roads such as Valley Road, Delmont Avenue, Norristown Road, Centennial
Road and other roads where traffic volumes are higher.

Secondary and development street plowing will continue after the priority areas are cleared. township-owned sidewalks will also be cleared by the Public Works Department.

Obstructions

• Responsibility for any damage caused to any resident vehicle or other obstruction in the Township right of way during plowing operations shall lie with the resident. This includes any damage to a township vehicle incurred as a result of an obstruction in the right of way. The right of way during plowing operations shall be a minimum of six feet outside of the curb or edge of the road.
• Portable basketball poles are to be moved out of the plowing right of way or six (6) feet from the curb or edge of the roadway. Permanent basketball poles that are near the edge of a Township road violate the Warminster Township Ordinance that prohibits structures in the Township right of way and must be removed.
• Mailboxes that are mounted to extend past the face of curbs or edges of roads are considered obstructions. Damage to these mailboxes will be the responsibility of the resident. Damage to mailboxes with rotting wooden posts, or otherwise poorly secured, will be the responsibility of the resident. If a resident feels that the Township is responsible for damaging their mailbox, the report must be filed with Warminster Township at (215) 443-5414. Plow damage to mailboxes must be reported to Warminster Township within 48 hours of the damage incident.
• Trash and recycling containers are considered obstructions during a winter weather event. These containers must be kept out of the right of way.

Reminders

• During a snow event, residents may not snow blow, plow, or shovel any snow into any Township street. This act is illegal and violators may be cited.
• Please keep children out of the right-of-way area during snow plowing operations. No snow forts or tunnels within the right of way will be permitted.
• Resident mailboxes must be mounted on a secure post. Damage caused to any mailbox that is the result of snow that is being removed from the roadway will be the responsibility of the resident. Damage caused to any mailbox that is the result of being struck by a Township plow will be the responsibility of the township unless the mailbox is mounted as stated in “Obstructions”. Damage caused to any mailbox that is the result of being struck by a Township subcontractor will be the responsibility of the subcontractor unless the mailbox is mounted as stated in “Obstructions.”
• Plow damage to mailboxes must be reported to Warminster Township within 48 hours.
• Winter can be a very busy season. Please plan if using contracted winter services. Residents are still responsible for snow removal despite contractor delays.

Plowing Issues

If residents have any issues or concerns with plowing operations, they should call Warminster Township at 267-317-1310. The Public Works Department will attempt to respond to your call promptly.

Information for Residents

• A Snow Emergency in Warminster Township may be declared with as little as 3” depth. Ice events will also be declared as Snow Emergencies. Snow Emergencies shall remain in effect for 72 hours after the storm has passed.
• All on-street parking of any vehicle will be prohibited on township streets during a Snow Emergency. Vehicles parked in violation may be ticketed and towed if necessary according to the determination of the township.
• When snow is plowed from the streets and is deposited in aprons and driveways, it is the responsibility of the resident to remove the snow from this area.
• When snow is plowed from the streets and deposited around mailboxes, it is the responsibility of the resident to remove this snow to allow access for the US Postal Service.
• Residents shall not park vehicles close to where the plows will be operating. Vehicles may not be parked closer than six feet from the curb or edge of the street.
• Downed tree branches that are in the roadway will be removed by Public Works and any branches will be placed on the property where they came from. Residents will be responsible for their disposal.
• Sidewalks must be cleared within 24 hours after the storm has passed. Violators may be cited according to the township ordinance. Delayed sidewalk clearing is permitted when heavy snow accumulations cause plowed snow from the roadway to accumulate in the sidewalk area. In this event, residents are advised to wait until it is clear that Township plowing is completed before clearing their sidewalks. Residents can contact Public Works directly at 267-317-1310 to find out if plowing is completed on their street.
• Residents shall clear the fire hydrant located in front of their property so that it is fully accessible in the event of a fire within 24 hours after snow has stopped falling.

Scott said residents should check the township's website for further updates.

According to the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, a coastal system will bring widespread precipitation to the Lower Bucks County and Philadelphia region.

Snow and some mixed precipitation will occur northwest of Interstate 95 on Saturday evening, the weather service said.

Wintry weather is likely for the area as the system moves into the region on Saturday into Sunday.
Precipitation is expected to begin Saturday afternoon or early evening, and then taper off overnight. Some lingering light rain or snow is possible Sunday morning.

About 1-4 inches of snow, mixing with or changing over to rain or sleet at times is projected for northwest of the Interstate 95 corridor through the Interstate 78 corridor.

Mainly rain is expected near and southeast of Interstate 95 but may begin or end as wet snow near Interstate 95 with little to no accumulation.

Rainfall is forecast to be 0.5 -1 inches of rain across the region with the heaviest amounts possible closer to the coast. Localized flooding of low-lying and poor drainage areas remains possible, the weather service said.