DPW: Our Snow Warriors

Posted by – Dale Mathes, Code Enforcement Officer

A couple of winters ago, I wrote a blog entitled Our Snow Angels.  Back then, I reported how the hard-working people at the Auburn Hills Department of Public Works clear the ice and snow from our streets with little fanfare or attention.  Since Tuesday and Wednesday’s storm, I thought I would revisit the topic and spoke to Dan Brisson, the DPW’s Manager of Roads and Fleet, about how his crews cleared the City.

Dan stated that 35 to 40 personnel began working around 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday.  At 2:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning the snow stopped and that was when (as Dan said) DPW went into “full scale attack.”  At their disposal were ten dump trucks, four pickups, two pickups dedicated to municipal parking lots, and a broom truck for sidewalks.  They worked all through the night and until 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

One fact that Dan brought up was news to me, that DPW uses an anti-icing agent (much like the de-icers used on planes at the airports) prior to plowing.  This helps reduce the buildup of ice that is then trapped under the snow, making for treacherous driving.  It also acts as a sort of “Teflon” to make the plowing easier.  As Dan put it, DPW “MacGyver’ed” two trucks with parts and equipment found around the DPW garage and now have two de-icing trucks capable of handling 32-lane miles of streets.

We all hope that this past storm was winter’s last hurrah, but rest assured that if Ol’ Man Winter rears his ugly head again the personnel of DPW will be prepared.  They’ll be ready to take it on again with their standard equipment and a few secret weapons.

I’m thinking that “Snow Angels” is a little wimpy.  Let’s call them our “Snow Warriors.”

Thanks to you all.

Keeping The Sidewalks Clear

Posted by – Darren Darge, Code Enforcement Officer

As we settle into the cold winter months, some people look forward to skiing, sledding, ice fishing and my favorite – snowmobiling.  Snow is fun for some and annoying, frustrating and just a pain in the lower back for others.  Whether you’re playing in the snow or prefer to enjoy it from a window seat with a hot beverage, we all need to do what we can to keep our sidewalks clear of snow for pedestrian passage.

Every year the City does their best to keep the sidewalks and roads clear.  We do what we can and last year was extra challenging due to the large amounts of snow and ice.

The City Ordinance reads as follows:

Sec.62-77. – Snow and ice removal.

         The occupant of every lot or premises adjoining any street, or the owner of such lot or premises, if the same are not occupied, shall clear all ice and snow from sidewalks adjoining such lot or premises within the time required in this section.  When any snow or ice shall cease to fall during the daylight hours, such snow or ice shall be cleared from the sidewalks within 12 hours after such cessation.  When a fall of snow or ice shall have ceased during the nighttime, it shall be cleared from the sidewalks by 6:00pm of the day following.

If you have physical limitations and need help, you may qualify for an assistance program through the City by calling our Community Center at 248-370-9353.

Everyone doing their part to keep sidewalks clear helps keep our residents and pedestrians safe.

 

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Posted by – Dale Mathes, Code Enforcement Officer

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?
In the lane snow is glistening
A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland

When winter weather turns to snow, everyone seems to have differing reactions.  Some go skiing, snowmobiling, sledding … even sleigh riding!  Others just hang out at home by the fireplace and stay warm.  But at some point, everyone has to deal with those glistening, white-covered sidewalks.

In the City of Auburn Hills, if your property has a sidewalk, our Code of Ordinances outline the general requirements for timely removal of snow and ice.

Specifically, the occupant of a property (or if unoccupied, the owner) is responsible for clearing their sidewalks:

1. Within 12 hours – if the snow or ice falls during daylight hours.
2. By 6:00 p.m. the following day – if the snow or ice falls during the night.

If you’re unable to remove snow or ice from your sidewalk due to declining health or physical limitations, please let us know at 248-364-6934 so that we can arrange for assistance.

Timely snow removal is very important.  It makes life easier and safer for the elderly, kids walking to the bus stop or school, emergency personnel, and delivery people.  It’s also just the neighborly thing to do so that everyone can enjoy the winter wonderland.