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1. Are you investigating any alternatives to your current anti-icing/deicing materials?

• Yes. We are always looking for ways to do things better and more cost effectively. Anti-icing with Liquid salt (brine) is an example of this.
• We are investigating the use of chemical blends using different chlorides and in some cases other products like agricultural byproducts (sugars).
• This year we will be using beet juice to enhance our liquid chemical applications for anti-icing/pretreating our roadways. Beet juice is not a good ice-melter, however, it is excellent for pretreating roads as its freezing point is well below zero degrees Fahrenheit.
• Beet juice is a natural corrosion inhibitor.
• When we apply liquid chemicals for pretreating our roads, we will be using a blend of liquid salt, liquid calcium chloride and beet juice.
• We are currently investigating the use of different types of plow blades such as rubber, polyethylene, composites and segmented blades, etc.
• This year we will be using wing plows on our loaders, some trucks and large landscape tractors. This will allow a truck to plow wider road widths. In some cases, one truck will do the work of two.

2. Do you have any tips for dealing with winter snowstorms?

1. Whenever possible, remove your vehicle from the street whenever plowable snows are forecast. Vehicles parked along the curbs make it difficult for plow operators to clear the roads.
2. Whenever possible, please avoid driving or parking on the roads during or immediately after a heavy snowstorm. The less traffic our plow operators encounter, the more efficiently they can get the roads cleared.
3. Do not shovel or blow snow into public streets. This not only defeats the purpose of our snow plowing but creates unsafe conditions for all drivers. All shoveled or blown snow should be piled in your yard or in the area between the curb and sidewalk.
4. We will not clear driveway openings. During the course of plowing snow off of the roads, driveways may get plowed in (snow deposited in front of the driveway opening by plow trucks). This is unavoidable. To minimize this inconvenience, residents are encouraged to clear the area of the roadway (adjacent to the curb) to the left of their driveway (when looking at the street from their property). Most of the snow, being carried by the plow, will drop off in that area before reaching the driveway. Unfortunately, it is often necessary to plow some roads more than once (especially those roads that were plowed early in the event); consequently, you may have to open up your driveway more than once.

3. How do you track the plowing and salting trucks so you know where they are and how much work has been done?

• This winter, we are utilizing a Geographical Information System that will include the use of an Automated Vehicle Location System.
• We can instantly know the location of all vehicles in our winter operations fleet.
• We can instantly know if a truck's plow is up or down, how much chemical is being spread, how fast the truck is going and the pavement and ambient temperatures that exist at the vehicle's location.
• We can send messages and/or orders directly to the truck driver which will be displayed on a small computer screen.

4. How long does it take to spread salt on the Township roads?

If all spreading equipment is running, the primary roads can be spread with anti-icing / deicing chemicals in 1 and a half hours.

If all spreading equipment is running, we can apply anti-icing / deicing chemicals to the secondary (neighborhood) roads in about 6 hours.

5. How many vehicles do you use for snow plowing?

• 20 dump trucks and 6 loaders are used for plowing operations.
• During heavier snow accumulations, up to 25 contractor trucks may be utilized to supplement the plowing operation.

6. How much snow must fall before you begin snow plowing operations and what roads get plowed first?

• Each storm is different and there are many variables that are considered when determining when plowing will begin.
• On the primary roads, every attempt is made to keep the roadway clear of snow "curb to curb".
• Primary roads are maintained in a passable condition throughout the entire storm.
• Once the primary roads have been deemed passable, and that condition can be sustained with fewer resources, a decision to deploy plows into the neighborhoods (secondary roads) is considered.
• We generally will not enter the secondary roads (neighborhoods) to plow snow unless the accumulated snow is going to be problematic.
• Driveways will not be cleared.
• Population density dictates what portions of the township are plowed first.
• We will apply anti-icing chemicals on streets prior to the onset of frozen precipitation when appropriate.
• We will apply deicing chemicals on snow pack and ice to improve conditions on the neighborhood streets.
• In the event of snow-packed streets, where the snow-pack can not be melted with chemicals because of very cold temperatures, we will apply sand / abrasives to improve traction.

7. What can I do to help keep my driveway clear of snow?

Although we do our best to be attentive to individual driveways and minimize inconveniences to residents, the plows sometimes fill in areas on previously cleaned driveways and sidewalks. Property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from their property including or where snow and ice has been placed upon such areas as a result of snow or ice clearing operations.

You can prevent snow plows blocking your driveway by clearing a portion of the road immediately adjacent to your driveway (to the right of your driveway when facing your house). Doing so provides an area where snow from the plow truck can be deposited before reaching your driveway

For an information on the method for plowing out your driveway view the Snow Driveway Clearing Tips (PDF) illustration.

8. What if I am a dialysis patient and need to get to the hospital?

First you should call the Dialysis Center to see if it is open. You should also speak with them about rescheduling your appointment.

If the dialysis center is open and you must keep your appointment, you should call 609-581-4000 for emergency transportation. This number is manned by township police dispatch personnel who will dispatch an ambulance. Please note that you cannot pre-register for these transportation services. They can, and will, only be provided on an as needed basis during individual emergencies. For additional information, regarding emergency transportation services, please call the Hamilton Police Division's Crime Prevention Unit, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4 pm, at 609-581-4033.

As always, if it is a true medical emergency, call 911.

9. What if I have a medical emergency and I cannot get out of my street?

If you have a true medical emergency call 911 or the Hamilton Township Police Department at 609-581-4000.

If you have another medical situation, such as a scheduled doctor appointment, and you feel it is a medical emergency, please provide the name and phone number of your doctor. We will verify with the doctor and if warranted provide the necessary accommodation to get you there.

Dialysis patients should call 609-581-4000 to speak with a dispatcher who will contact an ambulance service if it is an emergency. Please note that you cannot pre-register for these transportation services. They can, and will, only be provided on an as needed basis during individual emergencies.

10. What is the liquid that dump trucks with large tanks in their truck bodies are spraying on the roadway prior to a storm arriving?

• They are anti-icing (pretreating) the pavements using liquid salt (brine).
• This is a proactive approach to preventing snow and ice from bonding to the pavement.
• It reduces the amount of salt needed during winter operations and provides for safer roadways.

11. What is the Township Winter Storm Response Policy?

Prior to winter snowstorms, liquid salt will be applied to all Township roads provided that favorable pavement temperatures exist to do so.

While snow is falling, our main effort is to keep the primary roads safe and passable.

The primary roads are plowed curb to curb and treated with salt early during the storm. As a result, when the storm has ended, those roads are black and bare to pavement very quickly.

We do not enter the secondary roads to plow them until after snow fall has ended.

Secondary roads are plowed with one pass in and one pass out and are plowed in about 24 hours if everything goes right. Often there is going to be snow packed and bonded to the roadway after we plow. We apply de-icing chemicals (salt) to the snow pack which with the help of the sun melts the snow and gets us to bare pavement. All residents who reside on a secondary road should be able to drive from their home to a primary road without difficulty providing the exercise caution.

12. When do you apply salt to the roadways?

• Prior to the onset of frozen participation, and providing pavement temperatures are favorable, anti-icing operations will occur on all township roads by pretreating with liquid salt (brine). In some cases, depending on the forecast, secondary roads may not get pretreated.
• Anti-icing is a policy which involves spreading salt as early as possible to prevent snow and ice from bonding to the pavement surface and keeping it in a plowable condition.
• Anti-icing significantly reduces the amount of salt needed to maintain our roadways in a passable condition.
• Chemicals used for anti-icing in Hamilton are currently liquid salt (brine) and solid salt, prewetted with magnesium or calcium chloride.
• The neighborhood roads will normally be treated both prior to the onset of frozen precipitation (providing pavement temperatures and forecast accumulations are in an acceptable range) and after an event has ended if snow pack has occurred on those roads.

13. Who should I call for snow plowing if the road is a State or County road?

County roads are cleared by Mercer County Road Department [Phone: 609-530-7510] or you may email.

State roads are cleared by NJ Department of Transportation [Phone: 609-588-6212].

14. How long do I have to clear my sidewalk after a snow storm?

In accordance with Ordinance 435-1 property owner or tenant is required to remove snow-ice within 12 daylight hours after the snow-ice shall fall or be formed.

If snow or ice is not removed as required by section 435-1 or is cast, deposited or placed upon the sidewalks or streets in violation of section 435-2, the snow or ice shall be removed by the department of public works upon notification by the police division, and the cost of removal shall be certified to the director of finance, who shall cause the cost to be charged against the real estate abutting the sidewalk or street from which the snow or ice was removed. The amount so charged shall become a lien upon the real estate abutting the sidewalk or street, passageway, private roadway or parking area, and shall be added to the taxes next assessed upon the land, and shall be collected and enforced in the same manner as other taxes. The remedy provided by this section shall be in addition to any penalty imposed for a violation of this article in section 435-4

15. The snow plow damaged my mailbox/curb, what do I do?

First determine whether or not the road is a State, County or Township Road.

If it is a County Road, refer the caller to the County 609-530-7510 or email.

If it is a State Road, refer the caller to the State 732-308-4086 (Central Regional Maintenance Department).

If it is a Township Road, take the name, address and number and advise the caller that someone will come out and inspect after the snow has stopped. If they can replace it right then and there with the permanent mailbox, they will. If not, the Township will put up a temporary mailbox until the permanent mailbox can be replaced. The township only replaces standard mailboxes.

If the mailbox is a special decorative box (painted, novelty themed, brick construction, etc.) a request should be submitted for a Notice of Claim. The resident would have to make the repairs or replacement and file for reimbursement.