Snow Removal

Snow Removal

Storm Operations

As snow begins to accumulate, the Borough concentrates on certain streets. The first streets that receive attention are the snow emergency routes. As long as the snow keeps falling, the Borough’s first priority is to keep the snow emergency routes open and passable. As soon as all the snow emergency routes are clear, equipment is immediately moved into other areas.

Salting and Plowing

There are two aspects to a snow removal operation. The first being salting and the second, snowplowing. When the roads start to freeze from falling precipitation, salting operations begin on snow emergency routes and continue until all streets are salted or until salt is no longer effective due to the depth of snow. The more traffic on a street, the more effective the salt. As a result, sometimes residential streets with small amounts of traffic may appear unsalted. Please keep in mind that when the temperature drops below 20 degrees, the salt becomes less effective.


Snow emergency routes are cleared from the center of the road and pushed to the right side of the road. Secondary streets will be cleared curb to curb after the storm ends. Residents can assist the Public Works Department in the efficiency of snow removal by moving their vehicles to an off street parking area or parking as close to the curb as possible. In the event of large snow accumulations, the Public Works Department will begin utilizing heavy equipment to clear, load, and haul snow from the streets. Streets will be posted as "No Parking" during this type of removal.

Reminder to property owners and residents: it is illegal to plow, shovel or blow snow onto any public street. This creates dangerous driving conditions, as well as, frustrates both the snowplow operator and residents alike.

Snow Emergency Information

Whenever the Mayor finds, on the basis of falling snow, sleet, freezing rain, or as a result of a forecast by the U.S. Weather Bureau, that weather conditions will make it necessary to expedite motor vehicle traffic, and to prohibit or restrict parking for snow plowing and other purposes, he shall put into effect a parking prohibition. 

Fire Hydrants

If you have a fire hydrant on your property, please clear the snow from around the hydrant. This will assist fire crews in the event of an emergency.

Clearing Sidewalk & Handicap Ramps

Residents are required to clear snow or ice from their sidewalks following a storm. Sidewalks should be cleared to a minimum of three feet wide. This includes sidewalk ramps to your property.

Child Safety

Please educate your children of the dangers of snow removal and make sure they play safely. Remind them to:
  • Never build tunnels or snow banks near the street.
  • Keep sleds and toys out of the street and away from the edge of the road. Snow banks make it difficult to see children.
  • Stay away from the plow - children should stay back at least 20 feet or more from the road.

Motorist Safety

Motorists should use caution around plows. Reduce your speed, keep your distance and don't pass snow removal equipment while it is plowing and salting. Their visibility is very restricted to the rear of the vehicle.

Clearing Your Driveway

As salting and plowing are difficult operations to perform, residents are requested to park in their driveways or off the street if possible. Please keep in mind that it is almost impossible to keep snow from being deposited at your driveway during plowing, as the plow cannot be lifted or stopped at each driveway it passes.
 
If you clear your driveway before the street is plowed, here is a tip that will minimize the amount of snow left in front of your driveway. When your driveway is cleared, clear an area to the left of the driveway entrance (standing in the driveway facing the street). When your street is plowed, the snow from the plow can be unloaded in this area instead of your driveway. Plows sometimes find it necessary to make several passes, in order to clear snow all the way to the curb to allow for proper drainage.

Basketball Hoop Stands

During the winter months please move basketball hoop stands back from the roadway. Snow plows are taller vehicles and may hit basketball stands that extend over the roadway.

Winter Stormwater Tips

  • Shovel early, the sooner you shovel the less likely snow and ice will build up and you will not need to use as much salt. Apply salt sparingly and remove the slush once the snow melts to prevent from refreezing. Salt in our stormwater system can be harmful to aquatic life.
  • Refrain from using kitty litter or sand as these could clog drains and contribute to runoff pollution.
  • Always shovel storm drains from the sidewalk. Shovel snow into vegetated areas, where meltwater can soak into the ground. This reduces runoff that flows down storm drains and directly into rivers and streams.
  • Mark your drains in late fall prior to snow fall to help you to see where to shovel during each snowfall. Always keep your drains clear of snow and ice to prevent flooding.
  • Winterize your vehicles to prevent leaks. Cars should be washed at a commercial carwash, where soapy water doesn’t enter the storm sewer system.
  • Practice good housekeeping by storing salt and other de-icers under a roof or other cover to minimize polluted runoff.

Please Be Patient

As we have not yet figured out how to stop snow from falling in West Reading during the winter months, snowplowing will be necessary. Snow removal is a difficult and time consuming job. Since snow removal crews need many hours to complete snow clearing operations, please try to limit your travel during and immediately following a snowfall. If travel is absolutely necessary, be prepared to be delayed. The less traffic on the streets during snow clearing operations, the quicker the job can be accomplished.