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Check your mailboxes and make sure they are ready for winter and comply with postal regulations.
Make sure your mailbox can withstand heavy snow thrown by passing plow trucks this winter. Autumn is a good time for residents to make cure their mailboxes are in good shape for the winter weather.
Common repairs include replacing loose hinges on a mailbox door, remounting a mailbox post that may have become loose, and replacing or adding house numbers.
Residents installing new mailboxes or replacing old ones must use USPS-approved traditional or contemporary mailboxes. Generally, the bottom of a mailbox should be at a vertical height of between 40 and 42 inches from the road surface and placed so carriers can safely and conveniently serve them without leaving their vehicles. Repairing your mailbox and making sure the post is securely set in the ground, will help it withstand the force of the heavy snow coming off the snow plows.
Damage to mailboxes resulting from snow plowing will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Mailboxes that are damaged by actual physical contact with township equipment will be repaired at the township expense, but only if they were properly located and installed. The mail box owner is responsible for repair or replacement of the mailbox if the mailbox was damaged by the pressure of the plowed snow and there was no physical contact with the plow equipment. To find out what the proper location of your mailbox is along the road way, contact your local postmaster.
As you inspect your mailbox it is also a good time to install reflectors that make your mailbox easier to see during storms or during dark hours. It's a good idea to also make sure your house number is visible on your mailbox as this will assist mail carriers and emergency crews.
MAILBOX DAMAGE POLICY
Adopted February 20, 2008
A properly installed and maintained mailbox will withstand snow removal operations. If improperly placed the front face of the mailbox extends past the back of the curb edge or edge of pavement into the road/street. Chances are, the mailbox could be hit by the plow.
In the event your properly placed mailbox is down, you may call Hamilton Township Road and Maintenance Department at 513-683-5320. The roads Division will repair/replace boxes damaged by a snow plow or mower strike. Replacements will be with a standard U.S. postal mailbox and 4”x4” pine or cedar post if necessary.
Boxes down from snow plow throwing snow, or mower will be refastened if possible. Boxes down due to deteriorated materials will be the responsibility of the owner.
Improperly installed boxes will be the responsibility of the owner.
Altered or custom-made mailboxes damaged by snow plow or mowers the Township will repair. If not repairable the resident will have the option of a standard U.S. postal mailbox and post or the established cost of the materials for the U.S. postal mailbox and post materials.
The Township is not responsible for any mailbox that is above the standard U.S. Postal mailbox permitted in the right-of-way. Replacement of such will be the responsibility of the owner.
For mailboxes on County or State roads, you may contact Warren County Engineer at 513-925-1364, or Ohio Department of Transportation at 513-932-3010.
Lawn damage done by snow operations or the mower will be repaired by the Road/Maintenance Department by calling 513-683-5320 to report the damages done.
Mailbox repairs will not take place until current snow operations are finished. If owner chooses to replace his mailbox before the snow removal is completed the Township will reimburse him for the box and post only, based on a standard U.S. Postal mailbox cost for the year the damaged occurred Future snow events could delay repairs. This would not interfere with any mower damages unless it would be raining and then the repairs would take place when the ground would be dry enough to not damage any other areas.
If you are not sure if your road/street is a county, state, or township road you may contact the Township at 513-683-8520.
2009-2010 Snow Season Policy
Introduction |
The purpose of Hamilton Township’s Snow Removal Policy is to provide the safest possible roadway system and access routes for the motoring public, public transit, public schools, fire, police, emergency aid vehicles, the citizens of Hamilton Township and the surrounding communities. Understanding the policy cannot eliminate all the impacts or effects of a snow and/or ice emergency.
County roads are maintained by the Warren County Engineer’s Office and include:
Zoar Road, Grandin Road, Foster-Maineville Road, Morrow-Cozaddale Road, Butterworth Road, Cozaddale Murdoch, Murdoch Goshen Road, Old 3C Highway
State roads are maintained by the Ohio Department of Transportation and include:
US 22-3, State Route 48
This policy is intended to communicate Hamilton Township’s preliminary coordination efforts to reduce the threat to public safety from a snow and ice emergency. During inclement weather, the Hamilton Township Maintenance Department will make every effort to maintain the traffic flow as close to normal driving conditions as possible.
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Operations |
Organization of Staff
Hamilton Township employees an eight person road maintenance crew for handling snow and ice control on township roads. The road maintenance crew is a group of dedicated, full-time employees that work year round and who are individually required to maintain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
During normal business hours, the Maintenance Supervisor is responsible for evaluating the need for road treatment and during the winter storm event continues to monitor township roadways as snow conditions become more severe.
After normal hours of operation, initial calls are made by Warren County Communications Center to the Maintenance Supervisor. The Maintenance Supervisor is then called into work to evaluate the need for road treatment as well as to determine the manpower needed to treat the roads.
Organization of Equipment
Currently the Maintenance Department has one facility for Winter Storm fighting which is located in Testerman Park, on Maineville Road. This facility stores equipment and 1800 tons of salt under a shelter. This facility is also equipped with a front end loader and two mechanics.
In response to a limited salt supply, resulting from the current salt industry situation, Hamilton Township has made adjustments to salt usage during snow and ice cleanup for the 2008-2009 winter season. Residential Class Streets will be treated with Sodium Chloride (salt) and plowed. On more rural routes, Sodium Chloride will now be mixed with finely crushed granular material (grits) for use on the roads. The approach used for treating township roads will differ by priority ranking.
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Priorities |
The Hamilton Township Maintenance Department standards do not include a bare pavement policy and road treatment may be limited to curves, hills, and intersections. Snow removal and treatment operations will be conducted only on township maintained roadways generally in accordance with the following priority ratings.
Priority 1 Roads will be treated with Sodium Chloride (salt) and plowed where there is curb and gutter and treated with a mix of Sodium Chloride (salt) and grits where there are roadside ditches.
Priority 1 Roads include: Intersection of Hopkins and US 22-3, Intersection of Stephens Road and Village Green Parkway, portions of Nunner Road, Ford Road, Chardonnay, Cabernet, Chancellor Ln., Stubbs Mill Road; portions of Appaloosa Cr., McIntire Road, Ireland Road, Adams Road; portions of Harrison Road, Schlottman Road, Maineville Road, Grog Run Road; portions of Swigert Road and Dallasburg Roads.
Priority 2 Roads will be treated with a mix of Sodium Chloride (salt) and grits. The emphasis of the treatment will be on curves, hills, and intersections. Straight-aways will be treated with a mix of Sodium Chloride (salt) and grits, at a lesser level, and plowed.
Priority 2 Roads include: Intersection of Hopkins and Overbrook; portions of Ridgeview Lane, Striker Road, Stephens Road, Cochran Road; portions of Vintage Ct., Classicway Blvd., Mounts Road, Maineville Road, Sibcy Road, Harrison Road and the end of Baxter Road.
When a snow and ice event continues, routes (depending on priority) are continually monitored by the Maintenance Department. Some Priority Roadways may require salting and plowing several times during a storm event before other township roads are addressed, depending on the severity of the event.
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Safety |
Snow Alert Levels
The Warren County Sheriff may declare a Snow Emergency for the preservation of the public peace. The Sheriff will consult with various other county officials such as the County Engineer, the EMA Director and township and city officials before declaring the emergency. Declaring a Snow Emergency is the highest of three levels of a Winter Driving Condition:
LEVEL 1
Roadways are hazardous, drive very cautiously.
LEVEL 2
Roadways are extremely hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roadways are also icy. Only those drivers who feel it is necessary to drive should be on the roadways. Contact your employer to see if you should report to work.
LEVEL 3
All roadways are closed to non-emergency personnel. No one should be out during these conditions unless is is absolutely necessary to travel. All employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work. Those traveling on roadways may be subject to arrest.
During a Winter Storm Event
Do not allow children and pets to play on roadways or on the snow berms as this is very dangerous. Drivers may not see them or be able to stop in time to avoid hitting them.
As snow is plowed from roadways, windrows (a line or row of snow) can be created at the end of driveways and are the property owner’s responsibility to clear. Do not shovel or put snow from driveways onto or across county roads as this is unlawful and creates a hazard for other drivers. If you are removing snow from your property and a county snow plow approaches, there is a strong possibility that you are not visible to the operator. Dark clothing, the hour of day and weather conditions inhibit visibility. Protect yourself from injury by giving the plow operator extra room to perform the task.
On the Road
Don't go out until the snow plows and salt mix trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination. If you must drive in snowy conditions, make sure your car is prepared, and that you know how to handle road conditions.
Snow plows make frequent stops and backup maneuvers, do not drive your car up behind a snow plow as the driver may be unable to see you and inadvertently back into your car. If you are behind a plow that stops, stop your vehicle in such a way that your car looks into the driver’s outside rearview mirror, and please give them extra room.
Drivers are also urged to give an oncoming snow truck right of way. During the winter months, the berm or shoulder of the road is often too soft to support the weight of a loaded salt truck. These drivers cannot move off of the road to let oncoming traffic pass on narrow roads. If you see a salt truck approaching on a narrow road please be courteous and pull off into the nearest driveway and let the snow truck pass.
Storm Damage
Although undesired, there is always a potential for damage to mailboxes and fences during the snow removal process. Damage will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Mailboxes and fences that are damaged by actual physical contact with Township equipment will be repaired at the Township’s expense, but only if they were properly located and installed. The mail box owner is responsible for repair or replacement of the mailbox if the mailbox was damaged by the pressure of the plowed snow and there was no physical contact with the plow equipment. Please call (513) 683-8520 to report mailbox or fence damage resulting from contact with Township equipment.
Contacts:
Questions regarding snow & ice concerns should be directed to the Hamilton Township Administration Building at (513) 683-8520 during the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday. After hours and weekends, please call the Warren County Dispatch at (513) 925-2525.
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