The Snow Removal Plan calls for the Borough of Fair Lawn to
be divided into sections. Each section is assigned a driver and a specific
piece of equipment to plow and remain in that section until all roadways have
been sufficiently cleared. This may
require the snow removal vehicle to make multiple passes on each street. Borough Snow Removal Vehicles will plow each
street curb to curb during each snowfall.
On occasion, due to the lack of areas between the sidewalk and curb,
sidewalks and driveway aprons may become covered with snow. Borough Snow Removal Vehicles will not remove
snow from any sidewalk or driveway apron.
Within each section, the major collection streets and
roadways are attended to first with the residential streets following. This
prioritization is based on identifying primary accesses, emergency response
needs and school bus routes. Local streets, and particularly cul-de-sac
streets, are plowed after primary streets have been cleared. The local streets carry the least amount of
traffic and must be serviced in accordance with that factor. The Borough of
Fair Lawn is aware that your street is important to you. The Public Works
Department is committed to continue providing excellent snow removal service.
Each property owner can
also assist the Borough of Fair Lawn in providing an improved level of service
by observing the following suggestions:
One
of the most important ways to assist the Borough of Fair Lawn is by not parking
vehicles in cul-de-sac or on local municipal streets. Plows cannot get into a
turn-around when cars are parked on the street. Please keep your vehicle off
the street until the street has been completely cleared. Residents are reminded
that the Borough of Fair Lawn has a general policy for snow removal; however,
each storm event may be a cause for change. Salt material is spread on the roads at the
start of a storm and when snow starts to accumulate. The Borough of Fair Lawn, in most cases, will
plow the street two separate times. The first time will be to clear an access
to the primary roads and the second pass will push the snow back to the edge of
the street (curb to curb). This is done to provide clearance on the street and
to insure an adequate area to plow snow in additional storm.
Know
that when streets are plowed, the snow will go into your driveway and onto your
sidewalk. If possible, wait until the
street is plowed before clearing driveway openings or sidewalks. Also, please clear a wider area on the edge of
the street before your driveway to allow much of the snow to leave the plow
before it gets into your driveway.
Never
shovel snow out into the streets. Snow shoveled into the street causes a hazard
by freezing and causing bumps in the roadway. Be a good neighbor and shovel
snow away from the street and if applicable, onto your lawn.
For
safety reasons, please shovel out fire hydrants and crosswalks located on or in
close proximity to your property.
Motorists
are urged to have a greater awareness of municipal vehicles salting or plowing snow.
The municipal vehicle is performing an emergency operation and motorists should
not interfere or impede the plow in any way. In the course of clearing the
street, the municipal vehicle may behave in unexpected ways, such as backing up
a short distance against traffic.
Any
person who is in charge or control of any building or lot affronting a sidewalk
shall remove ice or snow or clear a path of at least thirty inches (30")
in width from the sidewalk. An attempt should be made to remove the snow or ice
from the sidewalk within twelve (12) hours after the cessation of any fall of
snow, sleet or freezing.
Mailboxes: In an attempt to remove snow from
the roads, plowed snow may damage mailboxes. Wet, heavy snow increases the
chance of damage to mailboxes. To reduce the potential for damage make sure
your mailbox is secured tightly on a sturdy post. Residents are reminded that
damage occurring from plowed snow is the property owner's responsibility. The
Borough of Fair Lawn crews makes every effort to avoid causing damage to
mailboxes.
Portable Basketball
Poles/Nets: Portable Basketball poles are not acceptable
items within the right-of-way. As an unapproved structure within the legal
right-of-way, the following applies: The
Borough of Fair Lawn will not pay for any damage to basketball poles, nets or
any other recreational equipment located within the public right-of-way that is
damaged by plowed snow or struck by Borough vehicles during plowing operations.
The Borough of Fair Lawn will seek full
payment for any damage to salting/plowing equipment caused by recreational
equipment located within the public right-of-way.
Pursuant to the Code of the Borough of Fair Lawn ยง208-2: Depositing snow and ice on streets and
sidewalks prohibited. No person, firm or corporation, owner, tenant or
occupant of any premises abutting on any street shall throw, place or deposit
any snow or ice into or upon any street in the Borough of Fair Lawn.
Your cooperation in following the above ordinance will
greatly increase our ability to clear the roads of snow and ice in a prompt and
timely manner.
For additional information, please contact our Department of Public
Works Administration Office at 201-794-5304 or 201-794-5326.