Now that winter has arrived, snowstorms and freezing rain can make for treacherous driving conditions on local roadways. Helping to keep Parkesburg Borough safe during the winter months is Joseph Reali, borough manager, who recently shared information about winter storms with the Community Courier.

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

Reali: The areas of most importance are Main Street, Strasburg Avenue, East and West First Avenue, all of the designated snow emergency routes, (followed by) all other streets and avenues and alleyways.

Community Courier: Do you have any rules about keeping sidewalks clear?

Reali: In accordance with Snow Ordinance 490, all sidewalks shall be cleared of snow and ice within 36 hours after the cessation of the event. If more precipitation happens within that 36 hours, that pushes the clock back.

Community Courier: What should residents know about trash pickup after a storm?

Reali: For the safety of our streets department personnel, (residents should) clear a path to and around their trash receptacles (and) keep lids on the trash cans to prevent water, snow and ice (from filling up the cans) as this adds pounds and makes it difficult and dangerous for the workers. We ask people not to put out trash or recycling if the snowstorm affects those pickup days.

Community Courier: When do you begin planning for winter weather, and how do you plan?

Reali: We secure our salt through COSTARS, the approved vendor from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and we order that salt in the spring of each year. We keep a stockpile of salt and we order and replenish the stockpile as we need it in anticipation of using the salt we have and not running out. The snow removal vehicles, such as plows and salt spreaders, are maintained and (if needed) they are repaired as quickly as possible.

Community Courier: What is the most valuable advice you could give local residents when it comes to staying safe on the roads during a snowstorm?

Reali: It's in everybody's best interest to use common sense, keep speed to a minimum and be aware that there is, at any area, the potential for icy conditions that could cause someone to not stop or skid through an intersection. I think the residents should be very mindful of keeping their sidewalks clear and to be considerate of the workers and the snowplow drivers. These gentlemen work through the night and early mornings and during the day. (Drivers should) be very mindful of where the snowplows are.

Community Courier: If a resident has a question about the snow removal policies or needs more information, whom do they contact?

Reali: Anyone can call the borough office. We do our best to communicate via social media and the borough website, and there is always Chester County Emergency Services postings.

The Parkesburg Borough municipal building is located at 315 W. First Ave., Building 1, Parkesburg. For more information, call 610-857-2616 or visit http://www.parkesburg.org or http://www.facebook.com/ParkesburgBorough.