CITY OF HUDSON SNOWPLOWING POLICY – Adopted 11-2-2009 

1.            INTRODUCTION 

The City of Hudson believes that it is in the best interest of the residents for the City to assume basic responsibility for control of snow and ice on city streets. Reasonable ice and snow control is necessary for routine travel and emergency services. The City will provide such control in a safe and cost effective manner, keeping in mind safety, budget, personnel and environmental concerns. The City will use city employees, equipment and/or private contractors to provide this service. 

2.         WHEN WILL THE CITY START SNOW OR ICE CONTROL OPERATIONS? 

The Mayor, Public Works Director, Chief of Police or City Administrator personnel for the City of Hudson will decide when to begin snow or ice control operations. The criteria for that decision are: 

A.        Snow accumulation of 2 inches or more; 

B.         Drifting of snow that causes problems for travel; 

C.        Icy conditions which seriously affect travel; and 

D.        Time of snowfall in relationship to heavy use of streets. 

Snow and ice control operations are expensive and involve the use of limited personnel and equipment. Consequently snowplowing operations will not generally be conducted for snowfall of less than 2 inches. 

3.         HOW SNOW WILL BE PLOWED 

Snow will be plowed in a manner so as to minimize any traffic obstructions. The center of the roadway will be plowed first. The snow shall then be pushed from left to right. The discharge shall go onto the boulevard area of the street. In times of extreme snowfall, streets will not always immediately be able to be completely cleared of snow. 

4.         SNOW REMOVAL 

The Public Works Director will determine when snow will be removed by truck from the area. Such snow removal will occur in areas where there is no room on the boulevard for snow storage and in areas where accumulated piles of snow create a hazardous condition. Snow removal operations will not commence until other snowplowing operations have been completed. Snow removal operations may also be delayed depending on weather conditions, personnel and budget availability. The snow will be removed and hauled to a snow storage area. The snow storage area will be located so as to minimize environmental problems. 

5.            PRIORITIES AND SCHEDULE FOR WHICH STREETS WILL BE PLOWED 

The City has classified city streets based on the street function, traffic volume, and importance to the welfare of the community. Routes will be plowed in the most cost effective and timely manner. Those streets classified as “Snow Plow Routes” will be plowed first. These are high volume routes which connect major sections of the city and provide access for emergency fire, police and medical services. 

The second priority streets are those streets providing access to schools and commercial businesses. The third priorities are low volume residential streets. The fourth priority areas are alleys and city parking lots. 

*NOTE: Map and Appendix A 

6.            WORK SCHEDULE FOR SNOWPLOW OPERATORS 

Snowplow operators will be expected to work eight-hour shifts. In severe snow emergencies, operators sometimes shall have to work in excess of eight-hour shifts. However, because of budget and safety concerns, no operator shall work more than a twelve-hour shift in any twenty-four hour period. Operators will take a fifteen minute break every two hours with a half-hour meal break after approximately four hours.

7.            WEATHER CONDITIONS 

Snow and ice control operations will be conducted only when weather conditions do not endanger the safety of employees or equipment, and operations are effective. Factors that may delay snow and ice control operations include: severe cold, significant winds, limited visibility and rapid accumulations of snow and/or ice. 

8.         USE OF SAND, SALT AND OTHER CHEMICALS

The City will use sand, salt, and other chemicals when there are hazardous ice or slippery conditions. The City is concerned about the effect of such chemicals on the environment and will limit its use for that reason. Even after reasonable care, snow and ice may still build up. 

9.            SIDEWALKS 

Sidewalks are addressed in City of Hudson Ordinance No. 4-09.

10.            EMERGENCY SITUATIONS 

For emergency vehicles responding to emergency situations (fire, medical, police) within the city, or Fire Department/Police Department jurisdiction, necessary employees and equipment will be dispatched as soon as possible. 

11.            DAMAGE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY 

Damage to turf, plantings, landscaping, water services, to include irrigation systems, or any other structures located in the city right of way will not be considered for compensation.

Damage to mailboxes due to excess weight of snow will not be considered for compensation. Mailboxes damaged by actual contact with city equipment will be inspected and considered for repair or replacement.

The City will provide turf restoration to areas outside the City’s right of way, disturbed due to snowplowing. Restoration will include black dirt, seed or in some instances sod replacement.

12.            PLOWING OF PRIVATE PROPERTY 

Unless there is direct benefit to city operations or unless emergency vehicles need access, there shall be no plowing of private property with city equipment. 

13.       STATE OF WISCONSIN, ST CROIX COUNTY, TOWNSHIP PLOWING 

Certain streets, such as Highway 35, Carmichael Road Bridge, within the city are partially maintained by the St. Croix County Highway Department, and fall under state maintenance policies.

Certain roads such as Tower Road, within the city limits are shared by the Town of Troy and the city.