Mayor Explains How Berkeley Handles Snowstorms

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NJ - Bring it on.

Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. says the township public works department is ready for the winter storm warning issued by the National Weather Service calling for up to 4 to 6 inches of snow through Saturday.

The township has 271 miles of roadway and over 300 cul-de-sacs and dead ends to clear. Depending on how much snow falls, it takes township plows and contractors 24 to 36 hours to clear the roads, the mayor has said.

Salting and sanding vehicles hit the roads at the start of a snowstorm. The township starts plowing once the snow accumulations have reached five inches, the mayor said.

Major roadways are usually done first, then secondary roadways, with roughly 70 pieces of township and contractor equipment and 30 contracted loaders for cul-de-dacs and courts.

All streets at a minimum receive one pass through to enable emergency vehicle access. Then all streets should be opened curb to curb to insure the drains are opened, Amato said.

Each snowplow vehicle has been assigned a section to plow and will remain in that section until all roadways have been sufficiently cleaned. The snowplow vehicle may have to make multiple passes on each street.

At no time is snow to be disposed of into the street from the property, parking lots, driveways and sidewalks.

All snow blowers should be directed to blow snow back onto the property. Anyone who blows snow back into the roadway could receive a summons for non-compliance, Amato said.

Any questions on these policies and procedures, call Steven J. Seiler, Director of Public Works at:732-349-4616 or 732-341-1022. Or you can e-mail: btpwsec@twp.berkeley.nj.us

Residents are reminded that no parking is permitted on snow-covered streets. Police can make arrangements for the removal of vehicles blocking the streets.

Photo: Patch Archive Photo