What should you know during a winter storm?
Shamong Township Administrator explains what residents can do in preparation of snow.
With winter in full swing, storms could hit at any time. What should you know to be prepared?
Shamong Township Administrator Sue Onorato addressed what residents can do in preparation of snow, and what the township does to ease the winter blues.
Residents are encouraged not to park vehicles on the street and to remove any obstacles (such as trash or recycling cans) from the street as those obstacles impact the efficiency of the public works department when plowing snow. When removing snow from a residential driveway, the township asks the snow not be placed back in the street.
When possible, residents should stay off the roadways during plowing and salting operations, and in larger storms, residents should remain indoors to ensure their own safety.
Onorato said residents can stay informed during storms by checking the Shamong Township Office of Emergency Management Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Shamong-Twp-Office-of-Emergency-Mgmt-1548946928758702/ and signing up for township email and text alerts at www.shamong.net by following the instructions for SWIFT 9–1–1.
Residents should check in on relatives, the medically needy and neighbors in inclement conditions, and pets should be brought indoors.
Onorato also said, since the community relies completely on well water, it is helpful to keep and maintain several gallons of drinking water on-hand and additional water to flush toilets during power outages.
During periods of high and drifting snow, residents should keep the vent pipes for their gas meter clear.
The public works department is constantly keeping up with the local weather as it relates to preparing for potential flooding, icing and snow-covered roads. The team typically tries to get a layer of salt down early to prepare for winter storms, and the conditions of the roads are constantly monitored to determine when additional salting or plowing is necessary.
The public works department focuses first on the main roads, followed by side roads and developments as needed. The department also salts and plows 17.6 miles of roadways that are owned and maintained by Burlington County, due to a shared service agreement with the county, and is responsible for another 50 miles of township-owned roads.
Since the township only has three full-time public works department employees, there are three plow trucks provided. During larger snow storms, the township is able to use an older, fourth large plow/salt truck and two additional smaller plow/salt trucks, one pickup truck with a plow and, on rare occasions, there is a grader that can be put on the road for snow if necessary.
Onorato said the Office of Emergency Management team, led by John Lyons, regularly coordinates with the public works department and first responders of Indian Mills Volunteer Fire Company. Lyons also has a trained team of area residents making up the Community Emergency Response Team.
“Our public works team does an outstanding job of clearing ice and snow,” Onorato said. “Shamong Township is fortunate to be served by a great team in our public works department, which is also supported by helpful and courteous staff in the administration building.”
