Snow Removal

Hempfield Township residents are responsible to remove snow!

Responsibility for removal of obstructions (General Legislation, code 75-3):

Responsibility for removal of snow, ice and other obstructions is that of the owner, occupant or tenant of every property abutting along a sidewalk as defined in this article, whether built before or after the passage of this article, and said persons are hereby required to remove or cause to be removed from all sidewalks in front or alongside of said property the snow, ice and other obstructions in the following manner:

All snow and ice falling or formed thereon shall be removed within 10 hours after the same shall have ceased to fall or be formed, provided that snow or ice that has ceased to fall or to be formed after 6:00 p.m. of any evening may be removed at any time before 10:00 a.m. of the following morning. Further, no such snow or ice shall be placed upon any street or alley.

Snow Removal

February 2010 Snow Removal Notice

Snow Removal Notice - Remove Cars from Roadways

Please remove all cars from the roadway from 7:30 a.m. until noon so that the Hempfield Township Public Works Department can clean and clear snow as follows:

Friday, February 12: Bovard, Gayville, Red Onion, Old Carbon
Monday, February 15: Grapeville, High Park, Manor

Arrangements have been made to relocate your car to your local volunteer fire department. Download our Snow Removal Notice.

The top priority of Hempfield Township is maintaining clear and safe roads throughout the Township during the snow removal season. However, our Public Works Department personnel cannot perform this service successfully without your assistance. Please take the time to review our tips for the snow season. Your cooperation and understanding will be greatly appreciated.

Motorists and Residential Tips During the Snow Season

Do not drive unnecessarily in a storm, especially during severe snowstorms and freezing rains.
Avoid calling municipal offices during a storm except in an emergency. Personnel are extremely busy dealing with storm conditions. It is best to keep telephone lines clear for emergencies.
If possible, wait until the road has been plowed before cleaning out the end of your driveway. There is no practical way to plow the road without depositing snow into your driveway. DO NOT throw snow back onto roadway.
Help reduce the possibility of a broken mailbox post. Plow operators are urged to take precautions to avoid hitting mailbox posts. Experience has shown that reduced visibility during a storm makes it difficult for a driver to see a post in time to avoid striking it or pushing it over with plowed snow. Any installation within the right-of-way, including a mailbox, is placed there at the owner’s risk. Therefore, owners are encouraged to install mailboxes at the maximum usable distance from the edge of the roadway. Posts should also be checked for deterioration to reduce the possibility that the weight of the plowed snow may simply break the post.
Be sure your car is properly equipped for winter driving (snow or multi-season tires, good wiper blades, etc.).
Under the Pennsylvania State Motor Vehicle Code snow mobiles are not permitted to operate on public roadways.
When following a salt truck, keep a safe distance, expect trucks to make sudden stops or turns while in the snow removal operation.
The priority of which streets are plowed and salted are based on main emergency vehicle routes, main arteries, school bus routes, etc.
If a storm is anticipated, remove vehicles from the roadside shoulders. This allows plows to clear the area the first time through, making return trips unnecessary. Vehicles parked on the streets during snow removal, when they have a driveway available, could be ticketed under Section 63-5 of the Township Code which states, “No motor vehicle shall be parked on any public or private roadway in such a manner as to interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic lawfully using public or private roadway or in such a way to interfere with the necessary public services”. This INCLUDES SNOW REMOVAL.
Do not be misled by trucks running with their plows raised. They may be returning for fuel or they may be headed to another area. The municipality may not be responsible for all roads in the area. Some roads may be maintained by the state (Route 136, Route 119, Route 30, Route 130, Thomas School Road, Carbon Road, Swede Hill Road, Willow Crossing Road, Middletown Road, South Greengate Road, Millersdale Road, Brush Creek Road, Penn-High Park Road, Brinkerton Road, Roseytown Road, etc.) some by the county (Greensburg-Mt. Pleasant Road, Lowry Avenue, etc.), and some roads may be private (as in developments where roads have not yet been dedicated).
Do not shovel snow into the road or have your driveway plowed into the road. This can cause a serious traffic hazard. If possible, it is best to place snow on the side of your driveway opposite the direction the plow is traveling. By implementing this technique, the plow will carry snow away from your driveway rather than back into it. Ordinance No. 83-50 permits code officers to fine people up to $50 who place snow onto a Township road which creates a safety hazard.

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