On any given day in winter, Jake Graham can be found watching the skies and following the forecast. The public works manager for Columbia Borough is keeping an eye out for ice and snow - and making sure his team of seven is ready to tackle whatever winter weather is coming their way. He and his team begin planning for winter's arrival by late fall to ensure they're prepared well before the first flake falls. Graham answered some questions on what his crew does to keep the streets safe for residents.
Merchandiser: How many miles does the borough plow?
Graham: 31 miles of streets and avenues
Merchandiser: How much snow falls before your team begins plowing?
Graham: Typically, 3 inches
Merchandiser: Do you plow 24 hours a day?
Graham: Yes, when needed
Merchandiser: When and how does the borough begin planning for snow removal?
Graham: Our plan pretty much stays the same year to year. We normally start checking and upfitting equipment in the beginning-of-November timeframe. We have a general tonnage (of salt) estimate yearly and order as needed, and of course, that varies year to year.
Merchandiser: How does the borough determine the order and priority of plowing roads?
Graham: (We start with) main corridors, bus routes and streets where emergency services are located.
Merchandiser: What is a homeowner's responsibility in terms of their property? Is there a timeframe in which snow must be cleared?
Graham: Residents are required to remove snow from sidewalks within 24 hours after the end of a snowstorm.
Merchandiser: How long does it take your staff to plow the borough in a typical storm?
Graham: Roughly eight hours
Merchandiser: Do you make more than one pass on streets in developments?
Graham: We plow curb to curb.
Merchandiser: If a resident has questions on the snow policies, whom should they contact?
Graham: Columbia Borough Public works department at 223-246-3551
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