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
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
Clearing snow for a distance prior to your driveway allows the plow to “unload” before reaching it. By piling snow away from the direction of oncoming plows, the bulk of the snow will not be pushed back onto your 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 Cherry 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
- Cherry Lane from Main Street to Easton 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
§385-1. Duties of Property Owners.
§385-3. Prohibited Snow and Ice Disposal.
Snow and ice removed from sidewalks, walkways and fire hydrants 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. Snow covering or around a fire hydrant shall be removed to ensure said fire hydrant is visible and readily accessible for use.
§385-4. Borough May Remove and Collect Expenses.
In addition to citing the owner for violation of this article, 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 $10 nor greater than 20% of the costs of removal, which amount shall be collected in the same manner as municipal claims and liens.