Snow is beloved by schoolchildren, feared by many drivers and closely watched by Dennis Nissley, public works director of Mount Joy Borough. He and his staff work hard to keep the streets safe after a storm, and his department has drafted a comprehensive winter maintenance policy that's viewable at http://mountjoyborough.com/wp-content/uploads/Winter-Maintenance-Policy-1.pdf. He answered some questions for the Merchandiser about how the borough handles the white stuff once winter rolls around.

Merchandiser: How many miles of roads does the borough plow?

Nissley: Approximately 22.5 miles

Merchandiser: When does the borough begin planning for winter weather, and how do you plan?

Nissley: We begin in November by checking the equipment to ensure that everything is working properly and address any necessary repairs. This includes calibrating the salt spreaders to make sure we are applying the correct amount of salt. Salt usage is estimated by how much has been used in the past. The borough has enough salt storage for about two to three average storms. We keep the bins restocked to be ready for any future storms.

Merchandiser: How does the borough determine the order and priority of plowing roads?

Nissley: This is outlined in the winter maintenance policy. Main arteries are salted first, followed by local streets. Then plowing is done in the same order.

Merchandiser: Why does it seem like plows make a single pass in developments rather than clearing both sides of the street?

Nissley: We attempt to make at least two passes initially, one in each direction to get all the streets opened for travel. We will then continue to push all the snow back as far as we can. Depending on the storm and how fast the snow is accumulating, it is not always possible to finish plowing a street until the storm subsides.

Merchandiser: What is a homeowner's responsibility in terms of their property?

Nissley: Clear the snow from their sidewalks within 24 hours of when it stops snowing. The snow from someone's property should not be shoveled or thrown into the street. Residents should wait to shovel the end of their driveway until we have completed plowing the street (as diagrammed in the) winter maintenance policy. It is not our intention to plow snow into a driveway after it has been cleared, but many times it cannot be avoided if plowing is not completed before the driveway is shoveled.

Merchandiser: If a resident has questions on the snow policies, whom do they contact?

Nissley: Residents should contact the Public Works Department at 717-653-8226. We also have a "Report A Public Works Concern" option on our website, http://www.mountjoyborough.com.

Merchandiser: If there is one thing you wish residents of the borough knew about snow and what your office does, what would that be?

Nissley: Our goal is to keep the streets as safe as possible during and after a storm. If possible, move all vehicles off of the streets when a snowstorm is forecasted, and stay off the streets unless it is absolutely necessary until our plow operators are able to safely clear the streets.