Editor’s note: A winter storm warning predicts accumulations of 12 to 16 inches of snow and 45 m.ph. wind gusts. First Selectman Ken Kellogg shared information on Monroe’s storm operations on the town website and Facebook page Wednesday.
As we anticipate our first significant storm of the season, I want to remind everyone of some important information:
No Parking in the Roadway During Storms – Town Ordinance prohibits parking on public roads during or after a winter storm that interferes with snow or ice removal or otherwise creates a hazard.
Parked vehicles hinder emergency response, create a hazard for the public, and interfere with the safe removal of snow or ice. Vehicles may be towed and the owner ticketed by police. Please remove vehicles from the roadway prior to a snow/ice storm. Parking bans are posted as reminders of this requirement.
Plow Routes – The roadways are plowed and treated in order of priority. Main (collector) roads are addressed first with special attention to steep hills and difficult intersections.
Side roads are done next, then cul-de-sacs. During heavy snowfall, side roads may remain unplowed if the main roads require repeated plowing. While this may seem unfair to the residents of side roads and cul-de-sacs, please understand that our main roads must remain open. Our crews remain in constant contact with emergency personnel. In the event of an emergency, crews are immediately deployed to assist and provide emergency access.
The Town of Monroe has approximately 143 miles of local roadway that we maintain. The state DOT plows Routes 25, 34, 59, 110 & 111. Due to the high costs of removing snow, it is important for the DPW to use its resources in the safest and most effective manner. Crews are deployed differently based upon the nature of each winter event. For example, while we may treat the roadway early in a storm, as it may actually be safer to wait for more snow accumulations prior to plowing (and avoid creating a layer of ice.)
Private Plowing – Private plow operators are not permitted to leave snow on public roads.
Private plows removing snow from driveways must ensure that the public roadways are left in the same condition as when the driver began work. Pushing snow onto the roadway is dangerous and further impedes the Town’s snow removal efforts.
Blocked Driveways – All snowplows angle the same way – to the driver’s right – and when plowing, the snow is pushed in front of the driveway.
The homeowner is responsible for access to the driveway. The only way to avoid extra shoveling is to wait until crews have done their final clean up on the road.
Mailboxes – The town only repairs or replaces mailboxes and/or posts that are struck by the plow blade.
Mailboxes and supporting posts must be installed to withstand the impact of snow pushed from the street onto the roadside. They should be installed 15″ away from the edge of the road and 42″ high to the bottom of the mailbox. The Town does not repair or replace mailboxes and/or posts that crack or break from the force of plowed snow or due to improper installation.
Basketball Hoops are not permitted in the road or in the Town right-of-way.
Basketball hoops may significantly interfere with snow removal. Please remove any basketball hoops out of harm’s way.
Staying Updated
Sign Up for Emergency “Code Red” Notifications
We utilize Code Red for emergency community notification. However, you must enroll in this service in order to be notified. If you are not already enrolled, click on “Code Red Sign Up” at the top right of our home page at www.monroect.org.
Websites
- Emergency information and Town Hall closures will be posted, when appropriate, on the top of the Town’s website at www.monroect.org
- Information on school-related activities is posted on the Board of Education’s page at www.monroeps.org
- Information on Library activates and potential cancellations are posted at www.ewml.orgReporting Issues & ConcernsAs always, in an emergency call 911. If the issue is not an emergency, but requires immediate attention, the best way to report is to call our dispatch center at 203-261-3622. This will ensure that the proper departments are notified and the matter prioritized.
For routine concerns that can wait until after the storm, you can even go to our website at www.MonroeCT.org and use the “Submit a Service Request” button.
For issues with your utility provider, the most effective way to report is to contact your service provider directly:
- Eversource – Power Outage: 1-800-286-2000
- Eversource – Natural Gas: 1-877-944-5325
- Aquarion: 1-800-732-9678
- Charter/Spectrum: 1-833-780-1880
- Frontier: 1-800-921-8101
Should you need to contact the Department of Public Works, they can be reached during normal business hours at 203-452-2814.
Thank you and please be safe while enjoying our New England weather!
