Now that winter has arrived, snowstorms and freezing rain can make for treacherous driving conditions on local roadways. Helping to keep Honey Brook Borough safe during the winter months is Bill Ford, public works director for the borough, who recently shared information about winter storms with the Community Courier.
Community Courier: How many miles of road does the borough have to cover during the winter season?
Ford: We have 4.2 miles of borough streets, which makes 8.4 miles of lane mileage - (or) 4.2 miles in each direction.
Community Courier: Any areas that are special problems?
Ford: Problem areas are where the streets are shaded or where there are open areas where the snow can blow.
Community Courier: How do you determine the order and priority of plowing the roads?
Ford: We do the streets going to the (Honey Brook Fire Company) first and then I put a truck on the north side of Route 322 and a truck on the south side of Route 322 to do all the other streets.
Community Courier: Do you have any rules about keeping sidewalks clear?
Ford: The borough has an ordinance requiring sidewalks to be cleaned within 24 hours of a storm.
Community Courier: When do you begin planning for winter weather, and how do you plan?
Ford: It begins in early March when you have to order your road salt for the following winter. Once we are done plowing and salting for the winter, we check out the equipment for any needs for the following year and order any parts if needed.
Community Courier: What would you say is the most valuable advice you could give local residents when it comes to staying safe on the roads during a snowstorm?
Ford: Don't travel if you do not have to and be prepared for ice spots or drifts even if the rest of the road is bare.
Community Courier: If a resident has a question about the snow removal policies or needs more information, whom do they contact?
Ford: If a resident has a question, they can call the borough office, and someone will get back to them.
The Honey Brook Borough municipal building is located at 71 Pequea Ave., Honey Brook. For more information, call 610-273-2020 or visit http://www.honeybrookborough.net. When there is a snow emergency, information is available on Facebook by searching for "Honey Brook Borough."
In addition to Ford's suggestions about driving in a storm, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has several winter driving safety tips listed at http://www.penndot.gov. Tips include the following: Carry a winter emergency travel kit. Increase following distance between cars. Avoid sudden stops and starts. Use extra caution on bridges and ramps, where ice can often form without warning.
Remove ice and snow from windows, mirrors, all vehicle lights and the hood and roof before driving and as often as needed. Do not pass or get between trucks plowing in a plow line. Make sure that someone else knows where you are going and when you expect to arrive; in case you run into an emergency and need help, someone will know where to look for you.
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