Now that winter is upon us, it is important for people to know how to stay safe on the roads. Local municipalities maintain most of the roads after and sometimes during snowfall. In an interview with the Advertiser, Jim Kreider, the public works supervisor for West Lampeter Township, addressed the topic of snow removal.

Advertiser: How many miles of roads does the township have?

Kreider: We have 76 miles of roads and streets.

Advertiser: How do you determine the order and priority of plowing roads?

Kreider: We plow roads first because everybody travels on them and then we will plow streets (which are in residential areas).

Advertiser: What happens if a car is blocking the snowplow?

Kreider: When vehicles are blocking streets, which is very rare, we don't plow (the streets). Now, when there is an accident, and they are blocking the roadway, we try to plow around them and salt the roadway so they can get unstuck. We will help them.

Advertiser: What can residents do to keep their property safe during a snowstorm?

Kreider: Keep vehicles off of the street and let us plow. If we damage anybody's yard, we will come back in the spring to repair. Check your mailbox. If we hit it, we will replace it. If the post is rotten or the mailbox is very weakly installed, we do not repair or replace. We do like when residents install plastic markers along their yard, so we know where the road edge is.

Advertiser: Do you know about how much salt on average you lay down on the roads in a winter season?

Kreider: Salt usage depends on temperature. On average, I would say 250 pounds per mile (or 19,000 pounds total).

Advertiser: What would you say is the most valuable advice you could give township residents when it comes to staying safe on the roads during a snowstorm?

Kreider: If people could travel on state roads - they are much flatter - and avoid using township roads that have more hills and sharp bends. Go the extra mile to be safe. We receive very little phone calls in snowstorms. We have very good snowplow operators, and we try to respect residents' property and people that travel on our township roads. Also, in big snowstorms, we assist emergency vehicles, doctors, and nurses that have to go to work. Last thing, if a snowstorm is big, just stay home until we have everything plowed. Life will be better for all of us.

Advertiser: Do you have any tips or rules for keeping sidewalks clear?

Kreider: When they clear their driveway, do not blow snow out in the street. Leave five feet of snow at the end of their driveway till we are done plowing ... our snowplows will unload all the snow that we are pushing into their driveway. Wait until the snow plowing is completed and then remove snow from walks. Residents have 24 hours to remove snow from walks. On an average snowstorm, it takes us eight hours to complete snowplowing in our township.

Advertiser: Is there anything else you'd like to say?

Kreider: Back in 2010, we had a big snowstorm, and we plowed for two days straight with high winds blowing snow. A resident decided to go out for ice cream at midnight. She got stuck, and we helped her back home without ice cream. Tell people to plan ahead.

The West Lampeter Township Municipal Building is located at 852 Village Road, Lampeter. For more information, visit http://www.westlampeter.com or call 717-464-3731.