Winter Weather Reminders
Winter is in full swing and even though we have had a stretch of warm days these past few weeks we anticipate that it will get cold and snow once again. Regardless of what the forecast holds, there are many winter weather tips that residents should keep in mind in the coming months.
First, residents are reminded to keep their sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Residents are responsible for the safety of pedestrians using sidewalks, crosswalk cuts, or driveways on their property, and may be liable for injuries due to snow or ice. By Town ordinance, residents have eight hours of daylight after the storm is over to adequately clear their sidewalks and driveways. Please check your sidewalks daily and remove any additional snow that might be thrown by plows or automobiles. Small quantities of sand are available at the Public Works Department HQ at 61 Ecology Drive free for East Hartford residents wishing to supplement their supply of salt.
Second, please keep roads clear for plows to move before, during, and after storms. If we get a significant snowstorm, the Town will issue a parking ban and notify residents through a press release to the media, on the Town website, and on social media. Residents may also call the police department routine phone number (860-528-4401) to check if a parking ban is in effect. But even if a parking ban is not in effect, please be mindful of our Town trucks, which may be out and about clearing snow and making the roads safe. Give plows the right of way when on the road – even when they are not plowing they may be spreading salt or sand.
Residents who have fire hydrants located on their property are also required to clear the hydrants and ensure easy access to them. This crucial act can save lives and property in the event of a fire.
Third, Potholes are created as moisture seeps into the pavement, freezes, expands and then thaws. This weakens the pavement. Traffic loosens it even more, and it eventually crumbles and pops out. Unfortunately, not much can be done to permanently fix potholes until spring. In the winter months, asphalt plants close, making the materials necessary to fix them unavailable. Public Works can apply a stopgap measure known as “cold-patching” in some cases, but this may not be appropriate in all situations. You can report potholes to DPW, they will make the area safe, but please keep in mind that they may not be able to fully address the problem until the spring or summer months.
We count on residents to report situations they observe, especially those that may potentially be a safety issue to persons or property. Please don’t hesitate to call DPW or the police department to report a potential hazard.