Amount of Snow Thrown in Streets 'Worst' He's Seen, Borough Official Says

Hellertown Public Works Director Tom Henshaw told borough council members Monday that the amount of snow illegally thrown onto borough streets by residents following last weekend's winter storm was "probably the worst...I've seen."

Throwing snow into the streets is prohibited by borough ordinance, and residents can be cited for a nuisance ordinance violation if they are caught doing so.

Henshaw said that in spite of the severity of Saturday's storm, by Sunday the borough public works crew "had everything clear."

On Monday, he said he was dismayed to find that some property owners had blown snow into the plowed streets, where it had hardened into an icy layer.

"People decided that their roads should not be contaminated with snow, which is asinine," Henshaw said.

He said some of the worst offenders appeared to be the residents with the largest yards, and presumably the most room to deposit snow in them.

On the flip side, Henshaw said he observed homeowners with very small yards along Northampton Street piling snow on top of their hedges, just to keep it out of the road.

Councilman Mike McKenna said he thinks members of the public need to be re-educated about the rules regarding snow removal, and Councilman Tom Rieger suggested that borough manager Cathy Hartranft issue a press release reminding residents of the rules.

Council members also discussed scheduling a "robo-call" that would serve as a reminder to all residents of the rules for snow removal, sidewalk cleaning and removing cars from designated snow emergency routes in the borough.

Council appeared to endorse both ideas.

Rieger said the robo-call will cost about $300, and should serve as residents' "one and only warning" before citations are issued in the future.

More information about snow removal is posted on the borough's website.

The Borough of Hellertown also posts timely informational updates on its Facebook page, which residents are encouraged to follow.

Patch file photo