Township Administrator’s Corner

As the Northeast Ohio winter season approaches, it’s important to adequately prepare for harsh weather conditions. For many, that means having a home furnace inspection, installing snow tires on cars and trucks, or winterizing boats and recreational vehicles. We prepare for the inevitable and unpredictable weather that is commonplace to the area. Inasmuch as harsh weather conditions seem to be the norm, township police, fire and road department personnel remain committed to providing the best service to the community. Planning and preparation are considered an integral part of the process to help our personnel prepare for unforeseen and often difficult situations.

In the police department, four-wheel drive vehicles are important tools, especially in the winter, allowing officers to respond to emergency calls and negotiate treacherous road conditions in situations where minutes can make the difference. In the fire department, similar vehicles are used for reliable response during harsh weather conditions. As part of planning for winter emergency operations, residents are reminded to keep driveways and sidewalks clear of snow and ice. This is done not only to ensure the safety of first responders, but also to provide access to homes in emergencies.

The township road department plays a vital role throughout the year and, in particular, during the winter season. The annual Summit County Regional Paving program successfully addressed paving issues on various sections of township roads this year. Under the program, township paving projects are estimated and assigned under a regional plan negotiated through the Summit County Engineer’s Office. The end result is a cost savings to the township for these projects. In addition to road maintenance, the road department handles a variety of resident service requests including culvert replacement, stormwater issues, and ditch maintenance. The road department responded to roughly 292 service requests in 2022. The township road department tries to prioritize projects based on the severity of the situation and notifies residents on the status of projects unable to be completed during the year.

Ensuring the roads are kept free and clear of accumulating snow and ice for accessibility and safety is the key focus of our township road department. The township inventory of salt in the storage facility at 3879 Ira Rd. is approximately 1,700 tons of material. Over the years, the price of road salt has fluctuated based on demand, and this year the price is $59.17 per ton. During the 2021-22 winter season, township road crews applied approximately 1,670 tons of salt on roughly 62 miles of township roads. Liquid salt brine has augmented snow and ice operations, allowing road crews to pre-apply the liquid on hills and intersections to help reduce the amount of ice that accumulates on road surfaces in those areas.

In preparation for the plowing season, the road department would like to remind residents that, while the hope is that snow and ice can be removed from all roads during a snow event, their primary function is to ensure access from side roads to main roads, with hills and intersections given greater attention. This is especially important to remember during heavy snow events. With approximately 62 miles of township roads to plow, road department employees work hard to make sure they can promptly address the clearing of roads for all residents.

Moreover, township road crews are assigned to manage snow and ice conditions on township roads, while crews from the Summit County Engineer’s Office are assigned to plow and apply salt on county roads. The two entities have separate and distinct responsibilities during winter operations and while township crews may travel upon county roads to reach an assigned route, they do not use township resources to plow county roads.

To ensure that our township roads can be cleared safely, residents and business owners are asked to remind private plowing contractors the placement of snow on or across a road is in violation of Ohio law. Ohio Revised Code prohibits placing snow or other materials on a road, which could interfere with the flow of traffic. As an example, contractors will frequently push snow from a driveway across a road and allow strips of snow called wind rows to remain in the street. If left unattended to freeze, these areas operate like speed bumps, creating a hazardous situation for motorists.

Additionally, cars parked on the road make it extremely difficult for plow drivers to keep our roads clear. While drivers are concentrating on the intricacies of plowing the roads, cars parked on the side are one added obstacle for them to avoid. In 2018, Bath Township enacted a snow parking ban (Resolution 2018-49) that may be instituted when accumulating snow exceeds 2 inches in depth. When the parking ban is implemented, residents are asked to move vehicles to driveways or other areas outside of the roadway. Vehicles left unattended on the roadways during an emergency snow ban may be subject to towing and a fine imposed on the owner.

As a result of the force of heavy snow being pushed to the side of the road, mailboxes are often compromised and damaged during winter plowing. Driveway address markers are frequently covered during heavy snow events. Please inspect your mailboxes and posts, along with driveway markers, to ensure their integrity. It’s also helpful to keep fire hydrants clear of snow and ice if they exist at or near your property. Your assistance on these measures is greatly appreciated.

As we brace for winter, please know the township remains committed to providing residents and businesses with the best possible service, and values your partnership in ensuring that this can be done in a safe and efficient manner. ∞