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Snow Guide
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Contacts
- East Penn School District: 610-966-8300
- Lower Macungie Township Public Works:
- Phone: 610-966-4343, ext. 117
- Email the Department of Public Works
- PA State Police (Fogelsville): 610-395-1438
- U.S. Postal Service (USPS): 610-966-3672
Practical Guide to Snow Preparedness
The Public Works Department (PWD) of Lower Macungie Township (LMT) is dedicated to the safety of all of our residents. The process of snow removal, which varies due to the intensity of each snow event, is a challenge for all of us. In an effort to prepare our residents for impending snowstorms we offer this guide to keep you informed as to what to expect when it snows.
What We Do
To help clear snow from the roads properly, the township plows and provides off street parking at the following locations:
- Farmington Hills Park, 2300 Goldenrod Drive
- Hills at Lockridge Community Center, 7125 Scenic View Drive
- Wescosville Recreation Center, 5047 Hamilton Boulevard
Weather Emergencies will be announced with anticipated beginning and ending times on WFMZ Channel 69 News and on the home page of the LMT website, Facebook page, Twitter feed and our electronic information board in front of the Township Building.
Safety First - Move Your Vehicle
If a weather emergency is declared it is mandatory that all vehicles be moved from all streets. This allows access to snow plowing equipment so that these roads can remain open to emergency vehicles. Any vehicle in violation of the weather emergency requirements may be subject to towing and costs of reclamation. In the event your vehicle is towed, Contact the Towing Contractor (PDF). All towing charges will be the responsibility of the vehicle owner, payable directly to the towing service and are not part of LMT revenue.
Plowing
Plowing occurs as needed when weather conditions arise. Our priority is to keep emergency routes and roads outside of developments open to allow for emergency vehicles and school buses. We attempt to maintain at least one lane of traffic on these roads. Residential streets, secondary roads and cul-de-sacs are plowed after emergency routes are opened. Due to the circular design of cul-de-sacs, it is difficult to equally distribute the snow along the curb line when plowing
If possible, we plow from curb to curb. This may take several return trips to your neighborhood depending upon the severity of the snow and because of obstructions on your street. If cars are parked on your street, we will remove as much snow as possible.
Note: our plow trucks do not travel at speeds of more than 20 miles per hour. Faster speeds create a throwback effect on the windshield. The force of snow being thrown from a plow creates the illusion that the vehicle is moving at a faster rate of speed.
Locations Not Plowed
LMT does not plow on:
- Apartment complexes
- Manufactured home communities
- Private condominiums and/or communities
- Private roads
- State roads
View a list of PA Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Roads (PDF) that are located in LMT and visit the easy online PennDOT Customer Care Center to report concerns on state maintained roadways.
If you are unsure as to whether your road is a public road and need more information, please call the LMT Department of Public Works.
Please Have Patience
Snow removal is a tedious and time-consuming job. LMT is responsible for over 130 miles of roads within the township. Our crews work many hours under very difficult conditions to keep you safe. Travel should be limited during a snowfall and immediately after, unless absolutely necessary.
Wait as we clean your street, we have no place to push the snow except to the curb line. Be aware that if you clean your driveway, sidewalk or mailbox before we are finished with your street, it will be plowed back in. This is unavoidable so please save yourself the aggravation and wait until we have made our final pass.
Snow Removal Tip
If your driveway is cleared before the street is completed, 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. The more snow you can clear from this area, the less will be deposited at your driveway entrance.
Do Not Clear Snow Into the Roadways
This practice is illegal under the State Motor Vehicle Code and LMT Code of Ordinances, Chapter 21, Section 403 and, it is extremely hazardous. You could be subject to fines of up to $50 per incident. Property owners are also advised that they are responsible for any actions of snow removal services that they hire.
Move Vehicles & Obstructions
to off-street parking whenever possible. Parked cars are a hindrance and a hazard to our snow removal efforts. Remove other obstructions such as garbage cans, recycling containers, basketball hoops and trailers.
Waste Management
If we are in a weather emergency, Waste Management will probably not pick up on your scheduled day. Don't put your trash out if this is the case. Check our website or social media pages for updates on trash delays. Do not call Waste Management.
Sidewalks, Fire Hydrants & School Bus Stops
Sidewalks are the responsibility of the property owner. Our ordinance requires that all sidewalks must be cleared within 48 hours after the snowfall has subsided. Fines of up to $600 can be assessed. If you have a fire hydrant on your property, please clear the snow away from the area around it.
School bus stops must also be kept clear of snow on sidewalks.
PATHWAYS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY…Although snow and ice may not be required to be cleared from pathways, individual property owners should be mindful that these pathways may be used by the public for walking access to schools within our Township.
Mailboxes
Any installation, within the right-of way, including mailboxes is placed there at the owner's risk. It is your responsibility to clear out your mailbox area and keep it open for access. Make sure that your mailbox is sturdy and can withstand the force of the snow being cast off the plow. Common causes of mailbox damage are: boxes positioned too close to the roadway, open doors, unstable posts and over-sized boxes that are improperly placed.
If you are not sure about proper positioning of your mailbox, it should be positioned with the front of the door 6 inches to 8 inches behind the curb as per USPS guidelines and it should be standing straight and not leaning. View the current USPS Mailbox Placement Guidelines (PDF).
Mailbox Damage
Any damages that occur as the result of force of snow being thrown against the mailbox are the responsibility of the homeowner. If you believe the damage has been caused by a direct strike to the mailbox by our plows, call Public Works within 48 hours after the storm has subsided and we will evaluate the damage to determine responsibility. Leave the box outside and visible. As soon as possible, after the snow event, a member of our crew will come out to check your damage.
We will also request a Mailbox Damage Claim Form be filled out and pictures, if possible. You will be notified as to our decision. We will not make appointments to inspect damaged mailboxes.
Other Damage
Any objects placed within the right-of-way by the property owner including trees, shrubs, lawns, basketball hoops and refuse cans are not the responsibility of the township and are placed at the owner's risk in the case of plow damage.
Remember
We are all trying to achieve the same goal of keeping our roadways safe and traffic moving. During snow events safety is paramount, convenience is secondary. Hopefully, we can work together to achieve these goals.