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Battling snow a tough task |
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Friday, 16 January 2009 |
By MIKE BURKHOLDER
Managing Editor
ST. MARYS — As 5 inches of snow fell on Auglaize County Wednesday, crews in St. Marys worked continuously to keep roads clear and safe for residents.
“We started salting at 8 a.m. Wednesday and it was just a light dusting at that time,” St. Marys General Services Superintendent Dennis Craft said. “Eventually it got worse and we started plowing and didn’t stop until 8:30 p.m.”
To combat the snow, Craft said crews teamed up and cleared the main roads throughout the city. Once that was accomplished, crews then started on the secondary routes.
“At that point, we wanted to keep the main roads open,” Craft said. “We had a few other trucks doing some secondary roads and had the snow blowers out to keep the walks clear along Spring Street. Once the snow subsided, we teamed up on the secondaries.”
Once traffic dies down, Craft said the 10-member snow removal crews works on hauling the snow piles to Kuck’s Cove. Typically done at night, Craft said crews moved some piles Wednesday afternoon as traffic allowed.
“We usually try to clean downtown at night, but it was pretty bad,” Craft said, noting business owners are responsible for clearing snow in front of their shops.
“We kept working and cleaned when vehicles moved.”
Craft said crews did put salt on roads Wednesday night, but the cold temperatures may hinder its effectiveness. However, if temperatures reach into the teens, Craft said salt could help break up any ice that accumulated on roads.
“We did salt some main roads and put some down at stop signs,” Craft said. “It seems to be working a little bit now with some sunshine. Usually when it gets this cold, the salt doesn’t work well.”
Craft also encouraged residents to do their part to help snow removal crews work efficiently. Residents should not shovel snow onto city roads as it could cause an accident.
“We still have a lot of people throwing snow into the streets,” Craft said. “I know it’s frustrating when we put it in the driveway. But if they could throw it in the tree lawn, that would help. I don’t want to see someone get hurt.”
Safety-Service Director Tom Hitchcock praised the work of the crews.
Hitchcock said crews have many obstacles to overcome when they take to the streets for snow removal.
“I think the community should be thankful for the job they have done,” Hitchcock said. “It’s one of the city’s functions they take for granted and it does take a lot of effort — plowing around cars and getting down narrow streets.”
Hitchcock said funds to help pay for dump trucks and snow plow equipment comes from the 0.5 percent voter-approved income tax. Wednesday’s storm put those funds to good use, Hitchcock said.
“That’s tax dollars at work,” Hitchcock said. “Our guys do an excellent job of getting the streets cleared in a timely manner.” |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 21 January 2009 )
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