With a dry spell, Summit County officials encouraged residents to prepare for the full force of winter, which could be right around the corner. They cited the following changes and requirements:
Summit County snow removal hours are from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. To ensure the safety of the operators and other drivers on the road, officials said, their teams are capped at 11 hours of driving in any 24-hour period and can only drive up to 60 hours per week.
As plows clear roads, the county’s right-of-way extends 30 feet from the centerline of the road.
“Any damage that may be caused to county snow removal equipment by the objects placed in the right-of-way may become the responsibility of the property owner. Crews do everything they can to avoid hitting these items,” a statement from the county said.
Property owners must keep all snow on their property during snow removal, and are prohibited from shoveling or pushing snow only the county road/right of way, according to the county.
In advance of heavy snow, all utilities must be marked with a pole and flag, the county said, to ensure access and awareness of those structures.
“All fire hydrants and utility structures shall be marked by the owner of the hydrant or utility structure with a pole or other sign that extends well above the normally anticipated depth of accumulated snow (6 ft. minimum),” the statement said.
Seasonal parking limits prohibit street parking on county roads from Nov. 15 to April 15, unless otherwise marked, at threat of tow or ticket.
If trash or recycling is not picked up on the designated service date, residents are asked to bring containers off roads before 7 p.m. that evening and return them to the road by 7 a.m. the following morning for delayed pickup, according to the statement.
“If containers are still unable to be serviced, then Republic Services will not return until the next regularly scheduled service day. This means Republic Services will return the following week for trash and in two weeks for recycling,” the county said.
Other general safety tips:
- Stay clear of snow removal equipment. Leave space when driving between you and plow.
- When walking or riding watch for plows. Plow drivers may not see you.
- Do not run into the street to flag down a plow. This may surprise the operator and cause an accident.
- Do not build snow forts in the big snow berms along the road. A plow could come along at any time and push into the piles.