Goal
Our goal is to provide for the clearing and removal of ice and snow from all Village streets and to assure safe travel throughout the Village.
Objectives
- To have all streets, Cul-de-sac’s and dead ends plowed & spread within 8 hrs after cessation of the storm.
- To have Public Works initiate snow removal operations for major arterial streets when salt is no longer providing effective melting.
- To get the main roads, which are most widely used open as quickly and safely as possible.
- To prioritize snow and ice removal based on traffic volumes for the greatest level of safety to the greatest number of residents, as quickly as possible.
- Cul-de-Sacs pose a special challenge. The structure of cul-de-sacs makes them extremely difficult and time-consuming to plow. Due to the low traffic volume on these streets, the Village is usually only able to plow them after other streets have been plowed.
Pre-Treating and Salt Application
- The Village uses liquid salt (brine) on Village streets. The liquid application maybe put on the roads up to 48 hours before a storm hits. This application will reduce the amount of ice and slippery conditions that may exist on the roads.
- The Village uses approximately 2,300 tons of salt in the average winter. This amount will vary depending upon the severity of the winter season.
Plowing Operations
Snow plowing equipment should always travel in the direction of traffic flow. The speed of the plow is normally 15MPH but will vary with the amount and type of snow fall, condition of the roadway and traffic. Snow plowing will not begin until snow is approximately 2” to 3” thick on the roadway and the application of salt has been given an opportunity to work.
Street Prioritization
Snow removal is based on street usage and levels of traffic. Priority streets are plowed first followed by secondary streets that collect and distribute vehicle traffic between the local street system and priority streets. Cul-de-sacs, alleys, dead ends and sidewalks will be plowed last, as they are the least traveled.
Mailboxes
Guidelines for proper mailbox installation and placement: U. S. Postal Service Mailbox Guidelines
During snow removal operations it is not uncommon during some snow events that mailboxes are damaged. In snow events where there is a high water content creating a heavier snow damage is more likely to occur. Mailboxes are typically damaged by the snow that is being cleared from the roadway. In these circumstances the Village does not replace the resident’s mailbox. However if damaged to the point where mail will not be delivered, then the Village will provide a temporary mailbox until the damaged one is replaced by the resident.
If the mailbox is struck by the plow, and was installed properly according to the United States Postal Services guidelines the Village will provide a temporary mailbox and reimburse the resident up to $100 for the replacement and installation of the new mailbox.
If a resident believes that their mailbox has been physically hit by a plow, they should call the Village of North Aurora at (630) 897-1457 within 48 hours. We will send an employee out to investigate and take pictures of the damage. A mailbox hit by a plow will look demolished, or have a clear indication of being stuck by a plow blade.
Parking Restrictions during Snow Removal
Ordinance No. 00-01-10-02 states – It shall be unlawful for any person to park a motor vehicle or, if parked, to allow a motor vehicle to remain parked or standing in any public street or alley during or after a snowfall in which there is an accumulation of two (2) inches of snow or more. This prohibition shall remain in effect until such time as the street or alley has been plowed or the snow has been removed there-from. A Village Street shall not be deemed to have been plowed until the lane of traffic nearest the curb has been plowed or the snow has been removed there-fore and pushed to within eight (8) inches of the curb.
Damage to Parkways
Every year, the Village’s efforts to remove snow from the streets and sidewalks may result in plow damage to lawns and parkways. If a lawn is accidentally damaged by a snow plow vehicle, please accept our apology in advance and call Village Hall at (630) 897-1457 to arrange for spring repair. Normally, damage to the parkway is caused by salt, and in this case will not be repaired by the Village.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Why do the snow removal vehicles appear to be driving so quickly down my street?
About 25 MPH miles per hour has proven to be the most efficient plowing speed. Factors that may attribute to the appearance that snow removal equipment is traveling at excessive speeds may be found in the following:
- Flying Sparks – This condition is caused by the direct contact made by the metal snowplow cutting-edge as it slides over uneven imperfections in the surface of the roadway.
- Flashing Lights – The modern high-intensity flashing strobe lights mounted around the vehicles exterior creates the appearance of a faster moving object.
- Snow Discharge – The snow and ice is funneled through the snowplow from the road surface and onto the parkway or shoulder. A snowplow is designed to “throw-back” snow and ice from the curb-edge. This allows for the equal distribution of subsequent snowstorms.
Can I put snow from my sidewalks and driveway into The Village’s streets?
Ordinance 12.04.010 states: “No person or entity shall dump, pile, push or otherwise place snow onto the public streets and roadways within the village corporate limits, or authorize, direct or cause snow to be dumped, piled, pushed or otherwise placed onto the public streets and roadways within the village, or allow snow to be removed from one’s premises and dumped, piled, pushed or otherwise placed onto public streets and roadways within the village.”
Why does the snowplow truck leave so much snow in the parkway and at the end of my driveway?
The Village’s policy on snow removal is to provide bare pavement “curb-to-curb”, within a reasonable period of time after the completion of a snow event. Along the curb-line in most subdivisions exists a series of “catch basins” that collect excess moisture whether that be in the form of rain, snow and/or ice.
When snow accumulates over these catch basins, their ability to eliminate excess standing water is compromised. If left snow covered, melting snow and water would collect on the roadway, impeding the safe flow of vehicular traffic as well as pedestrian travel.
