In time of snow, the Borough crews start plowing when the accumulation reaches two (2) inches. Please cooperate by removing your vehicles from the street in order for the plows to properly clean the streets. Parking of vehicles on streets identified as a snow emergency is prohibited during snow plowing. Please be advised, if any vehicle is obstructing operation of snow removal, the Police Department will have the vehicle towed at the owner’s expense.
During periods of inclement weather caused by snow fall accumulation upon the streets and culs-de-sacs Borough residents are encouraged to be prepared and have their vehicles removed from ALL Borough streets in anticipation of Public Works snow removal efforts and/or the declaration of a snow emergency. This will aid in the quick removal of snow accumulation by Public Works from all streets in the Borough.
Helpful Tips for Snow Removal from Hellertown Public Works Department
During this time of year, it is important for residents and property owners to remember that the Borough of Hellertown has regulations to keep sidewalks, driveways and fire hydrants clear of snow and ice. These regulations are in place to ensure the safety of all pedestrians in our community from serious injury and life-threatening hazards, whether they are US Postal carriers or school children.
Property owners are required to clear snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their property within 24 hours of a snow event.
These regulations and enforcement measures are provided in Hellertown Borough’s Code of Ordinances Chapter 385, Article I, Snow and Ice Removal and in the International Property Maintenance Code 302.3 “Sidewalks and Driveways.”
Please be a good neighbor by keeping sidewalks, driveway entrances and fire hydrants safe from snow and ice. You could also offer to help those in your neighborhood who may not be able to shovel their own sidewalks.
Snow Emergencies
A road posted with “Snow Emergency Route” signs indicates you must remove your vehicle from the roadway by a certain time if a snow emergency is declared. In declaring a Snow Emergency a special “No Parking” ban goes into effect on those affected Borough streets. This is simply the most effective way to keep cars off the street. Snow emergencies are posted on Channel 69 WFMZ, Operation Snowflake, or our Facebook page www.facebook.com/HellertownBorough and through an e-mail blast. If you have not yet done so, go to the Borough’s home page of the web site and sign up to receive e-mail notifications of any special announcement.
Driveway Shoveling Tip
Shown above is a diagram of the Borough’s driveway plowing policies. Abiding by the following guidelines will help make the snow removal process easier, safer, and more effective for all:
Snow should be plowed or shoveled to the right side of the driveway as you are facing the intersecting roadway. By being plowed away from the direction of oncoming snowplows, this action will prevent the bulk of the snow from being pushed back into the driveway.
Eliminate snow piles at the driveway entrance, whenever possible. High accumulations of snow will obstruct the vision of motorists when exiting from the driveway and hinder the ability of oncoming motorists to see you pulling out of the driveway, creating another potential for accidents.
Do not push snow out onto roads at anytime. This creates hazardous driving conditions for all vehicles.
Established Snow Emergency Routes
Front Street from Sycamore Street to Walnut Street
Main Street from 1-78 to Polk Valley Road
Easton Road from Cheny Lane to Main Street
Northampton Street from Easton Road to Walnut Street
Rentzheimer Drive from New York Avenue to Walnut Street
Tobias Drive from Durham Street to Walnut Street
Constitution Avenue from Durham Street to Walnut Street
Willow Road from Durham Street to Constitution Ave
Cheny Lane from Main Street to Eason Road
Wagner Avenue from Main Street to Zimpfer Lane
High Street from R.R. Bridge to Easton Road
Linden Avenue from Main Street to Silver Creek C.C.
Sycamore Street from Front Street to Main Street
Depot Street from Front Street to Main Street
Depot Street from Easton Road to Durham Street
Water Street from Borough Limits to Rentzheimer Drive
Penn Street from Main Street to Delaware Avenue
Durham Street from Delaware Avenue to Borough Limits
Magnolia Road from Front Street to Willow Road
Walnut Street from Borough Limits to Constitution Avenue
Snow Removal from sidewalks
Hellertown Borough Code
Snow and Ice Removal
§21-401. Duties of Property Owners.
It shall be the duty of owners of property abutting on sidewalks and walkways in the Borough to remove there-from all snow, sleet or ice within 24 hours after the same has ceased to fall or accumulate thereon. Where the property in question is not inhabited, it shall be the duty of the owner to comply with this ordinance.
OWNER – any person holding any interest in the title to the premises in question. Ownershall be either the husband or wife if the property is owned by both, although the violation of this Part may be, but need not be, charged against both. Where the premises are owned or titled in any name, then any party to the title shall be deemed an owner, and in the event that the premises are titled in the name of a business entity, partnership, corporation, trust or any other form of ownership, any officer, director, manager, personal representative or any person having any interest in said entity shall be liable for violation of this Part.
(Ord. 502, 9/8/1980, §1)
§21-402. Exception to Removal.
In case of snow and ice on any sidewalks or walkways shall be frozen so hard that it cannot be removed without injury to the sidewalk or walkway, it shall within the time limit specified in §21- 401 of this Part, be strewn and kept strewn with ashes, sand, sawdust or other suitable material so as to be no longer dangerous. As soon as practicable thereafter, the sidewalk or walkway shall be completely cleared of the snow, ice and other material strewn thereon.
(Ord. 502, 9/8/1980, §2)
§21-403. Prohibited Snow and Ice Disposal.
Snow and ice removed from sidewalks and walkways shall in no case be thrown onto any street, but shall be placed in such a manner as not to obstruct the free passageway on either the sidewalk and walkway or the abutting street.
(Ord. 502, 9/8/1980, §3)
§21-404. Borough May Remove and Collect Expenses.
In addition to citing the owner for violation of this ordinance, the Borough may remove the snow and ice and collect its expenses together with the actual costs of labor, materials and use of machinery for doing so, plus an administrative overhead cost of not less than $l0, nor greater STREETS AND SIDEWALKS 21-12 than 20% of the costs of removal, which amount shall be collected in the same manner as Municipal claims and liens.
(Ord. 502, 9/8/1980, §4)
§21-405. Short Title.
The Short Title of this Part shall be “Snow Removal Ordinance.”
(Ord. 502, 9/8/1980, §5)
§21-406. Penalty.
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Part shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of $25 upon the first finding, $100 upon the second finding, $200 upon the third finding and not more than $1,000 upon the fourth and any subsequent findings plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 says.
(Ord. 502, 9/8/1980, §§6, 8; as amended by A.O.
§21-407. Log Kept During Snow Removal Year.
1. The Chief of Police shall keep a written log of all offenses committed between October l of each partial year until September 30 of the subsequent partial year. (“Snow Removal Year”).
2. In lieu of bringing a prosecution under this Part, the Borough may issue a warning notice to the owner notifying the same that a violation has occurred. If the owner has not caused the snow and ice to be removed within 24 hours after receiving such notice, the Borough will proceed with prosecution in accordance with the terms of this Part.
3. Nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to obligate the Borough to this warning procedure where the owner cannot be readily located or notified. It shall not be a defense to any action brought under this Part that the violator had not received a warning or was not afforded an opportunity to avail himself, herself or themselves of the warning procedure, provided the police shall take every reasonable effort to give warnings. The reasonableness of said effort shall be solely within the discretion of the police.
(Ord. 502, 9/8/1980, §7)