Public Works Snow Removal Policy

Because there has been some discussion in the community about the town snow removal policy, we've been asked by the Public Works department to get the information out.

Even though these policies can be found on the Town of Lisbon website, they felt it may be seen by more citizens if it is in The Lisbon Reporter, and we welcome the opportunity to be of service to our community!

About Public Works
Lisbon Public Works has seven truck drivers, a highway foreman, and two mechanics that plow and maintain seventy miles of streets and roads in Lisbon. Considering there are at least two lanes for each street, that computes out to one hundred and forty lane miles to plow and sand. Divided among seven drivers each driver is responsible for approximately twenty-three miles. When short streets and numerous intersections are figured into the equation, the time to plow the average route during periods of good visibility is over three hours. During periods of heavy snow it can take much longer. Other conditions such as lines down, 4-wheelers, snowmobiles, accidents, illnesses of an employee or their family member or a family emergency must be factored into the length of time it may take.

When A Snow Storm Begins
Public Works does not employ a dispatcher before 7am or after 3:30pm, Monday through Friday, therefore must rely on the Police Department to notify plow crews to report for plowing duties. When it begins to snow and accumulate, the main arteries and connector roads are treated with a sand and salt mixture to form a brine that helps prevent snow from bonding to the pavement. Because of the time element and the expense of salt, this is only applied to the priority roads (RT-196, RT-9, and RT-125). When two inches of snow has accumulated, plowing begins and continues until the snow stops.

During the Storm
At all times during and after a storm priority is given to keeping the best possible travel conditions on Route 196. Priority is then given to other main arteries, then collector roads, and finally residential streets with dead ends being the lowest priority. Some sand is used on Route 196 to keep traffic moving during a storm, but as a rule all other areas are sanded only after the storm has ended and clean-up has been accomplished.

When the Storm is Over
When the snow ends, all routes are plowed again and pushed back to make room for the next storm. All streets and roads are then sanded while the contractor responsible for all sidewalks begins his work. It takes several hours for the contractor to clear the more than eight miles of sidewalks and when that has been done he sands all sidewalks. Occasionally after sidewalks have been sanded, they need to be spot sanded. Public Works will spot sand slippery spots only after all streets and roads are attended to since traffic safety has priority over sidewalks.

Snow Removal Begins
During some big storms, Public Works crews are on the job around the clock plowing and sanding. When the weather has cleared and the crews have had at least twenty-four hours to rest, snow removal begins. Snow removal consists of hauling snow away to a snow dump from areas such as the business district, municipal parking lots, and intersections where snow obstructs view of traffic. Snow removal priorities are very difficult to set and an effort is made to treat all business owners and citizens fairly. Snow removal in some areas can only be accomplished at night when traffic is light. In many high priority areas this is the case; so many low priority areas such as parking lots are cleared during the day where traffic is not a factor. Snow removal takes several days to complete, and is very expensive to accomplish at night overtime rates. For these reasons, patience and understanding helps us realize snow and cold temperatures are part of living in Maine.

How You Can Help
1. The decision to travel in winter storms (snow and or ice conditions) is yours and yours alone so please do not drive unless absolutely necessary.
2. Operators of plow vehicles need your help as much as you need theirs. They must be aware of operating the plow equipment in addition to driving the vehicle.
3. Slow down! You may be able to drive the speed limit but will you stop if you are going the speed limit?
4. If you MUST pass, pick a good place to do so. Plow trucks have a wing on the side of the truck and straight sections of road that have guardrails or a bridge give the driver no place to go. Some areas like these are so narrow that with the wing down there is not enough room for the truck and a car.
5. Do not park in the street, on shoulders, or on sidewalks during storms or during snow removal operations.
6. Do not shovel, plow, or snow blow snow onto roadways or sidewalks. This is prohibited by law and can cause a traffic hazard. It is best to place snow on the side of your driveway opposite the direction the plow approaches. This will cause the plow to carry snow away from your driveway instead of filling your driveway back in.
7. If possible, wait until roads have been plowed and pushed back before clearing your driveway. There is no practical way to clear highways without depositing snow in driveways. Snow banks must be pushed back to provide drainage and room for the next storm. Please understand the Town cannot return and clear private driveways.
8. One real important issue we have had to deal with is children sliding into the roadway or building tunnels in the snow banks. This could turn into a very serious situation that no one wants to answer to. When our drivers are plowing or pushing snow banks back they do not know if there may be a child there. Please let your children know of the potential dangers during the storm and clean up period.
9. Help reduce the possibility of a broken mailbox post. All plow drivers are instructed to avoid mailboxes when possible. Experience tells us that in reduced visibility this is not always possible. Often mailboxes are damaged by the weight of the snow coming off from the plow and not the plow itself. State law provides that any installation within the highway right-of-way, including mailboxes, is placed at the owner's risk. Mailboxes should be placed the maximum usable distance back from the pavement with a 42" mounting height. Rotted wooden posts should be replaced prior to the winter season.
10. Finally, please be patient. Plowing, sanding, and snow removal takes time and during storms of long duration crews work around the clock until everything is done. Our primary mission is to make roadways safe for the traveling public at a reasonable cost in the shortest period of time with a small crew and limited resources.

And a reminder about the Winter Parking Ban from the Town of Lisbon Municipal Code:

Sec. 50-45. Winter parking between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m.
The owner or operator of any motor vehicle found parked or left unattended upon any way for a continuous 60-minute period between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m. of any day during the period from November 1 to April 1 of each year shall, physicians on emergency calls excepted, be punished by a fine as provided in article V of this chapter.
(Code 1983, § 9-106)
State law references: Snow removal, 29-A M.R.S.A. § 2069.

Sec. 50-46. Exceptions to parking regulations in section 50-45.
The provisions of section 50-45 respecting the parking of vehicles in certain places shall have no force or effect as follows:
(1) Physician. For the vehicle in which a physician shall have arrived to attend a patient in his official capacity.
(2) Utility company vehicles. For a vehicle owned by a public utility responding to a need for repair or maintenance of service.
(3) Town vehicles. For vehicles owned by the town responding to a need for repair or maintenance of service.
(4) Fire and police personnel. For vehicles of volunteer firefighters responding to a fire call, or for police officers on duty.
(5) Church or funeral services. For those attending funerals or church services for which a sign shall be provided by the town which shall legally suspend the provisions of the parking ordinances for so long a time as may be needed for those to attend such funerals or church services.
(Code 1983, § 9-118)