Snow and ice removal is considered emergency work in that pavements must be cleared anytime day or night. Because of the potential hazard to the motoring public, and the amount of time and money spent on this program, careful planning and preparation work must be done prior to the winter season. This planning process is difficult due to the variable conditions encountered with each storm. Variables such as rate of accumulation, moisture content, wind direction and velocity, temperature, wind chill, time of day or night, duration of the storm and amount of traffic are all factors that create a unique aspect for each storm that results in no two storms are identical.

 

The goal of the Department of Public Works is to make all Town owned facilities and streets as safe and accessible as possible during the winter season. Additional caution should be exercised by citizens while using Town streets and facilities during the winter season because of the potential for hazardous conditions to exists, due to ice, snow and freezing temperatures.

 

The objective of the Cumberland Department of Public Works is to make all streets, courts, and cul-de-sacs as safe and accessible both during and after a winter storm in accordance with the guidelines set herein. We will be proactive when possible and pre-treat known slick and trouble spots. The Town Hall will be open and accessible to police and emergency vehicles at all times.

 

All primary routes will be made clear and passable from the edge of pavement to edge of pavement when possible. On secondary streets, initially, a double pathway will be cleared for emergency vehicles. Upon completion of this, cul-de-sacs and courts will be cleared. We will then return to secondary streets and clear from curb to curb. During and after the storm all streets will not necessarily be completely cleared of snow and ice. Some streets may be snow packed and snow can be expected to accumulate adjacent to the traveled portion of a road to the extent that a motorist's sight distance may be greatly reduced or impaired.

 

Town streets have been divided into two categories which determine the priority and level of service. The primary routes are roads that facilitate traffic into and through the Town. The following roads have been designated as Primary Routes:

Next on the list to be serviced are secondary routes, cul-de-sacs, and courts. This is a much larger group of streets, which serve residential and commercial developments.

The Cumberland Department of Public Works has developed a priority list to be followed during a storm with the overall efforts for snow removal based on the following priority list:

The Cumberland Department of Public Works has developed a procedure to perform snow and ice operations of all weather conditions. Personnel will respond whenever weather conditions pose a threat of hazard to the general public. Depending on the severity of the storm, as few as one person and one truck to as many as six personnel and six pieces of equipment may respond. A key element in implementing an efficient snow and ice control program is receiving timely weather information. 

 

Accurate weather forecasting is imperative in deciding which of the various operational procedures will be followed. The Cumberland Department of Public Works has several tools to assist in this task. The Department has access to weather information via the internet, TV, Hancock and Marion Co. Police as well as reports from Indianapolis. These tools all help to assist us in the decision making process for mobilization of manpower and equipment.

 

When the Department is notified of an impending winter storm a decision is made to implement one of several different operations for clearing the Town streets. Each operation varies in the amount of service performed and the manpower, equipment and time necessary to perform it. A salting operation (operation 1) would be initiated for known trouble spots should freezing conditions exist to melt snow or ice accumulated to a depth of 1 inch or less. A plowing operation (operation 2, 3, 4) would be initiated if snow accumulation is expected to be more than 1 inch.

 

Operation 1: One Truck Salting

Operation 2: Three Trucks Plowing

Operation 3: Five Trucks Plowing

Operation 4: Five Trucks Plowing, One Back-hoe and possible outside contractors if needed.

 

It can be expected that snow will be plowed into driveways along through streets and cul-de-sacs as a normal part of snow removal operations. Attempts will be made to keep excessive amounts from accumulating; however, each driveway will receive a certain amount of snow. The Town asks that residents do not blow or shovel snow into streets that have already been plowed. If this occurs the Town will not be responsible for re-plowing streets.

 

Because of the large amount of courts and cul-de-sacs throughout the Town and the amount of time needed to clear them, residents in these areas can expect the same amount of snow in their driveways as a driveway along a through street.

 

Whenever there is snowfall accumulation of 1 inch or more the sidewalks adjacent to the Town Hall will be cleared and salted.

Should storm conditions become severe enough, and the predicted duration is longer than 36 hours, private contractors may be called in by the Administrator to supply additional manpower and equipment. Such action would only be taken in emergencies, and only at the discretion of the Administrator and or Town Manager, but it is an important option that must be available to the Department of Public Works in case of equipment breakdowns or if a succession of winter storms pummels the Town.

 

During non-office hours, if a hazardous condition exists within the Town please call 894-3525 to notify the Police Department who will then contact the Administrator of DPW, or call the Department of Public Works at 894-6210, you will receive information on how to contact the Administrator. Members of the Town staff may also be assigned to answer phones during nonoffice hours in the event of a snow emergency.

 

Property Damage
During the course of operations throughout any given winter season, a certain amount of damage to Town and private property may be incurred by snow removal efforts. In the event that yard damage is sustained due to a plow riding over a curb, the Department of Public Works will repair said damage as soon as weather conditions permit.

 

If yard sod is rolled back in such a way that it can be reused, representatives of the Department will restore it. If the sod is damaged beyond repair, the Department will restore the area at the earliest availability of material. Topsoil and seed will be used if the damaged area is nine inches wide or less. Sod will be used in areas larger than nine inches wide. After repairs are made it will be the responsibility of the property owner to water and maintain the area. The Town will not be responsible to make repairs a second time. Any damage to yards or driveways caused by salt or brine being splashed onto them will not be repaired by the Town.

 

If a Town or contractor plow or truck damages a mailbox either by direct contact or due to the force of snow rolling off the plow, the mailbox will be repaired or replaced in accordance with established guidelines with a standard mailbox. The Town cannot replace decorative mailboxes.

A standard design will be used for all mailbox replacements or an equivalent dollar amount will be provided up to the amount of a standard mailbox. A property owner who installs or has installed decorative materials, decorations, signs or lawn irrigation systems within the street right of way does so at their own risk.

 

Under no circumstances will a Town employee be allowed to use a Town owned truck to push, pull or tow a stranded private vehicle. If a hazard exists, the employee may use their phone or two-way radio to notify the police of the hazardous condition. The police may at their discretion use any means necessary to remove vehicles from roadways when they feel the vehicle is creating a hazard to other motorists. Likewise, under no circumstances will a Town employee use Town owned vehicle to perform any snow removal or ice control operations on private or commercial property.

 

The Town recognizes that conditions may be so unusual or unexpected that departure from these

general policies should be authorized. Therefore, when conditions warrant the Administrator in consultation with the Town Manager or his/her designated representative may order a departure from these general rules when, in the opinion of the Administrator, conditions require such action.

 

The purpose of this policy is to establish goals for the Town of Cumberland employees regarding snow and ice removal. This is not to be construed to create any duty to any individual, person or entity. This policy does not provide any protection or services to any particular individual or group of individuals. No additional rights shall be granted any individual or entity simply by adoption and enforcement of this policy. This policy may be affected in total or in part as a result of strikes, equipment breakdown, weather conditions, inadequacy of equipment, state or federal regulation, shortage of personnel or any other unforeseen, uncontrollable or unanticipated acts.

 

This policy, dated May 20th, 2009 supersedes all others and, to the extent that any previous rule, regulation, policy or past practice, written or unwritten, is in conflict with the provisions of this policy, such is hereby withdrawn, voided and all personnel should conduct themselves in conformity with this policy.