FAQ’s about Snow Removal

How do I know what’s going on?

Stay informed:

Check the City of Frederick website at www.cityoffrederick.com for updates,

call the City of Frederick Emergency Information Line, listen to local radio stations for weather forecasts, school closings and the status of Snow Emergencies.

City Emergency Information Line - 301.600.1300

The City of Frederick reports Snow Emergencies to the following radio and TV stations:

Please note that the City has no control over what the stations may or may not report.

What are my responsibilities?

There is a code in place, which outlines the responsibilities and is as follows:

Sec. 22-16. Removal of snow and ice from sidewalks.

All owners and persons in possession of any land or premises situated on any street within the city, where sidewalks are laid, shall remove the snow and ice there from the entire length thereof for a width of at least four (4) feet, and may deposit the same along the remaining portion of such sidewalk nearest the curb, within six (6) hours after it has ceased falling and drifting, unless the same shall have fallen at night between the hours of 5.00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., in which case it shall be removed before 1:00 p.m. the next day. In the event the snow and ice is not removed within the time and manner above provided the owner or person in possession shall be notified to forthwith remove same and in the event of a failure to do so shall be declared to be a municipal infraction. The penalty for violation shall not exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00). In addition thereto, the city may cause the same to be removed as above specified and charge the cost thereof against the owner occupant to be recovered or collected in the same manner as are city taxes or by suit before a judge in the District Court of Maryland for Frederick County. (Ord. No. G-94-82, § 1, 11-17-94)

What do I do if I live on a Snow Emergency Route? See the following flyer, which was delivered to residents who live on Snow Emergency Routes last season.

The following information is intended for businesses and residents located along a designated Snow Emergency Routes.  These routes are marked by signage. These are the general regulations that address your responsibility during a snow emergency.  

Frederick has categorized the streets within the city in order to prioritize Snow Removal Services. Streets are typically broken down into three categories; Snow Emergency, Collector and Local Streets. The streets that are designated as Snow Emergency Routes have been determined to be the major traffic arteries, which need to be kept open at all times.

The Snow Emergency Routes are cleared first and we must keep them passable at all times under all conditions. It is only after these streets are satisfactory are we able to move on to the Collector and then the local streets.

When a Snow Emergency is declared, it will be announced via local radio broadcasts, telecasts and the City Web site at www.cityoffrederick.com In addition, we will have a recorded message on the

City Emergency information line - 301.600.1300

The City of Frederick reports Snow Emergencies to the following radio and TV stations:

Please note that the City has no control over what the stations may or may not report.

Parking on Snow Emergency Routes is prohibited on any posted Snow Emergency Route, starting two (2) hours after the Snow Emergency declaration.  Please remove all vehicles within the required time. Prohibited parking shall remain in effect until the Snow Emergency has been lifted. This will be announced via the same media outlets.

Cars in violation, may be towed at owners expense

City of Frederick Code, Section 13-19

Maryland Vehicle Law, Article 21-119

Vehicles traveling on Snow Emergency Route restrictions are required to have snow tires or chains. Enforcement of the Snow Emergency Route restrictions is conducted by the Frederick City Police.

Thank you in advance for assisting the City to protect public safety.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Department of Public Works at 301.600.1440. REV. 12/09/03

I’ve heard about Snow Emergency routes. Where are they? Take a look at the City of Frederick website at www.cityoffrederick.com and look under maps. A verbal description is as follows:

Street Start End

NORTH/SOUTH STREETS

1. Market Street Walser Drive Coca Cola Plant

2. Bentz St/Motter Avenue/

Opossumtown Pike West South Street North City Limits

3. East Street East South Street North Market Street

4. Baughman’s Lane US Route 40 Rosemont Avenue

5. South Jefferson Street Prospect Boulevard West Patrick Street

6. Monocacy Boulevard East South Street East Patrick Street

7. Monocacy Boulevard Gas House Pike MD Route 15

EAST/WEST STREETS

8. Patrick Street NB/ Ramp US Route 15 Bailes Lane

9. South Street / West Patrick Street City Limits

Reich’s Ford Road

10. Yellow Springs Road/ City Limits N. Bentz Street

Rosemont Avenue/

Dill Avenue

11. Seventh Street Military Road East Street

12. Butterfly Lane Mt. Phillip Road Alt. Route 40

In the past, I’ve been diligent and shoveled my sidewalk and driveway only to find when I was just finishing; City crews came and plowed snow into the area that I had just cleaned!!! When am I supposed to shovel? The short answer is after the City has plowed the streets. We suggest you start early in areas, which will not be affected by City snowplows. Our plow staff is directed to plow as quickly and efficiently as possible. Often this results in shoveled sidewalks or walks to be “plowed in”. In most situations, it is not reasonable for the operators to do anything else or plow a different way if we are to stay within our goals and objectives.

Why does it take so long for crews to get to my street? We do our best to arrive in a timely manner, but not everyone can be first. We are required to keep the Snow emergency routes open and are plowed first and kept open. Only after this is complete are we able to move onto the collector streets. After these are opened, we can move to the rest of the streets, which are primarily residential. See the City of Frederick web site for plow route maps at www.cityoffrederick.com.

Are there any deadlines to remove the snow?

The deadlines are self imposed and The City of Frederick snow plan clearly states:

The Department of Public Works endeavors to remove the snow and ice from the streets of the City of Frederick, from curb to curb, or shoulder to shoulder, to provide a safe driving surface to its users. Snow and ice will be removed to provide bare, uncovered asphalt upon which to drive.

The Department of Public Works will also remove snow and ice from City-owned parking lots and parking decks, sidewalks at City facilities, sidewalks on City bridges, and other City facilities.

After snow has stopped falling, and drifting has ceased, it is anticipated that City streets will be plowed and/or treated with ice melting chemicals according to the following schedule:

· 0” - 3” Streets cleared or treated within 12 hours

· 3” – 6” Streets cleared or treated within 24 hours

· 6” – 9” Streets cleared or treated within 36 hours *

· > 9” As quickly as possible*

* These times do not include time required to load and haul snow out of the Downtown commercial and residential area.

Is there a method to the madness on which areas the City of Frederick removes first?

Yes. We have a clearly defined procedure and an excerpt from the Snow removal plan is as follows:

Snow removal operations will typically follow the schedule listed below.

1. Spot treating with ice melting materials of bridges, elevated roadways, critical hills and other “problem” areas.

2. Full scale treating of all Snow Emergency Routes (Red routes) and Collector Streets (Blue routes).

3. Treating of Local streets.

4. Plowing of all Snow Emergency Routes (Red routes) and Collector Streets (Blue routes).

5. Plowing of local streets.

B. Spot treating as needed.

Why does the City of Frederick continue to put salt down only to plow it away later? Shouldn’t you plow first, then salt?

The intent of salting first is to ensure that a brine layer forms, which minimizes the amount of ice that accumulated on the streets. We almost without fail salt all the streets first to ensure the brine layer is in place. To salt it takes anywhere from 5 to 7 hours depending on road and traffic conditions. We almost always complete the salting before plow operations begin. Additionally, the City utilizes trucks, which apply salt and plow so it would be impossible in most instances to do both at the same time.

Who decides when the Snow Emergency is declared?

The Snow Plan states:

The Chief of Police, or their designated representatives, shall upon appropriate conditions (i.e. large accumulation of snow, poor driving conditions, whenever Frederick county has declared an emergency, etc.) Initiate the Snow Emergency Policy.

The Mayor shall be contacted for final approval. Upon the Mayor’s approval, the Public Works Department shall notify the Public Information Officer (PIO) via cell phone and e-mail, who will in turn contact the local media, including the local radio station, the Frederick News-Post, Cable Channel 99 and the local TV stations. The Notice provided to the media shall include the time the Snow Emergency will take effect, which will be at least 2 hours after the Notice has been give to the media. Any other relevant facts, such as parking restrictions, driving restrictions, etc, shall also be provided upon declaring the Snow Emergency.

The City Police Department will begin immediate enforcement at the time stated in the declaration. Enforcement will be coordinated between Public Work and the Police Department. After the need for the Snow Emergency has been eliminated, the Department of Public Works will notify the PIO, who will in turn notify the media.

Should the Mayor be unavailable, The Mayor Pro-tem will assume the duties. If neither is available, the Chief of Police or Director of Public Works may approve the declaration of a Snow Emergency.

During the declaration of a Snow Emergency, and on streets designated as Snow Emergency Routes in this Snow Plan, there shall be No Parking allowed. Any vehicles parked on these streets may be towed at the owner’s expense. Also, snow tires or chains will be required on any vehicles traveling on these routes.

I know that the City “salts” the roads. What products can I use?

There are many products, which are locally available. See local retail outlets for details.

How do I use these ice melting products and what product works where? See your local retailer for specific product information, however…

Apply ice-melting products at proper rate.

Too much is wasteful and may damage grass and plants

If these sorts of products are utilized, make sure the slush does not freeze in place. This is often the cause of sidewalk “pop” where the surface of the sidewalk spalls and flakes off.

Urea Urea is a farm grade fertilizer 46-0-0 which works well for melting ice and snow to slightly below freezing and is less damaging to plant life in proper application rates.

Salt

Sodium Chloride – Low temperature melting ability

Calcium Chloride –Less damaging to sidewalks, lower melting temperature

Traction products

Traction products are an option in many cases. They do not melt snow or ice, but add to the ability to get better traction. Often the downside is that if it is stored outside, it may freeze due to moisture and it can get tracked in to your home or vehicle. On the plus side, these products in small amounts or larger amounts will not “burn” plants or grass.

Sand – Easily available, inexpensive

Stone dust – inexpensive, good traction through various sizes of particles, but tracks easily

Bird seed – inexpensive, does not harm plant live and gives birds something to eat while natural food sources are covered by snow. On the down side, if you or the birds do not remove the seed, you may have wildflowers growing next to your sidewalks and driveways!

Shoveling is hard work! Are there easier ways to do this? A labor saving technique is to push the snow instead of shoveling. This will wear the shovels faster, but will often save you from a sore back. Many utilize snow blowers with great success. These labor saving devices can save quite a bit of time, assuming that you have a proper piece of equipment and the right type of snow. Snow blowers work best in a dry and powdery snow. If it is slushy or has clumps of ice in it, be prepared for lots of “down time”. Please see your local snow equipment dealer for more information. Another option is to hire someone to do it for you. You should seek someone well in advance of the first snowfall.

Is there anything I should do before I begin remove snow? Increase your physical endurance before beginning snow removal and see your doctor to ensure you’re up to the intense physical exertion this effort requires.

Dress properly – layer clothing remove as you warm up and replace after you cool down and wear shoes with traction.

How can I increase my traction in my car? Ensure that you have proper snow rated tires and make sure they are inflated properly. You can also throw a couple of bags of ice melting products in the trunk of your car. If you have a rear wheel drive vehicle, it will add traction and in all cases you could use it in areas if you get stuck.

Any other tips?

Be patient, give yourself plenty of time to go from place to place and offer to shovel for a neighbor! You’d be surprised what goodwill this will generate!