ALL THINGS WINTER Snow force prepares and winter fun awaits - bring on the snow!

How Can You Help?

• Delay non-essential travel until after roads are clears. Time spent navigating traffic slows the snow removal process. It’s best to give the crews the room they need to work.

• During significant snow events move vehicles off the street and onto your driveway. This allows trucks to plow streets curb to curb.

• When clearing your driveway, don’t shovel snow into the street.

The Farmer’s Almanac is usually right. This year, cold temperatures and plenty of snow are in the forecast for the winter season.

West Chester’s snow force always prepares for the worse and hopes the worse doesn’t happen, just like the rest of us. For some, the more snow the better.

The Township’s salt domes are full and ready for whatever comes. The Township budgets $200,000 annually for the purchase of road salt and “tops off” at the end of the season to be prepared for the next season.

West Chester Township salts/plows about 240 miles of road divided into 18 snow routes. The most common misconception of snow removal is that West Chester is responsible for every road in the Township. That’s not true. West Chester’s partners in snow removal are Butler County Engineer’s Office and the Ohio Department of Transportation. These agencies are responsible for many of the larger/busier roads in the Township.

The Township has a fleet of trucks with plows and equipment to salt the roads. A front-line salt truck will be in operation for 15-20 years and then will be moved into a back-up role for another five years.

The Township has its own staff mechanics who help to extend the life of roads and public safety vehicles. They also make quick repairs possible, so vehicles can get back in service making roads safe.

While salt/chemical treatments and trucks are two parts of the snow response, the men and women who make up the snow response force make all the difference. Road crews can be called in at any time to make roads passable for the community.

The predicted weather conditions determine the strategy for response. For example, pre-treatment of roads makes sense when there is some advance warning. Road salt has to be given an opportunity to work, so putting down salt and then plowing it up right away defeats the purpose.

Multi-day, prolonged snow events pose the greatest challenge as crews have to be allowed time to rest for their own health and safety and the safety of the public. The Township has a list of on-call plow operators who can be called upon to help under these circumstances.

• To avoid shoveling your driveway entrance twice, wait until the plow truck is finished plowing the street. Plow truck operators have no choice of where to push the snow. Snow has to go to the side of the road which includes driveway entrances.

• When driving, don’t pass a snow plow.

• Don’t assume the plow driver can see your vehicle. Every truck has blind spots which reduce visibility.

• Allow plenty of stopping distance during winter weather.

• Add extra time onto your trip. Don’t be in a hurry.

• Keep headlights on low beam.

• West Chester Township prioritizes roads to be cleared based upon how heavily traveled the road is and special concerns such as hills, curves, etc. Crews clear subdivision streets as soon as they are able and then cul-de-sacs.

If you have issues/concerns about snow response on your street, please use the Contact Us form at www. westchesteroh.org to report. Staff will respond as soon as able.

For Those Who Love the Snow

Some see the “winter wonderland” side of the lovehate relationship with snow. For these people, there is plenty to do with Chill Hill for sledding at the VOA Park and snow-covered wooded hiking paths at Keehner and Beckett parks. Cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing are also an option available in West Chester parks.

Community Services Foreman Randy Owens

Randy Owens has worked for West Chester Township for more than 30 years, but he has lived nearly his whole life here.

Randy is a foreman in the Community Services Department and he has always been committed to the Township’s infrastructure – roads, storm water and parks –but the West Chester (Brookside) Cemetery is where he is known best and is his greatest work passion.

“I do a little bit of everything here, but the cemetery really has a special place in my heart,” said Randy. “My family and some of my dearest friends are buried in our cemetery and so it’s very personal to me.”

Randy’s public service career began before coming to West Chester. He worked in maintenance for Sycamore and Lakota school districts before landing a job with the Township.

Most of this past summer, he has been working with contractors on paving, asphalt and storm system work.

“I think I liked the Township best when it was wheat fields and dirt roads, but I’ve also been happy to be a part of the changes here,” Randy said. “I really just have great love for this place.”

Administrator Named to Ohio 500

We st Chester Township Administrator Larry D. Burks is named to Ohio Business Magazine’s “Ohio 500” in the government category.

Mr. Burks was named Administrator of the state’s largest township in 2018 and has a passion for local government.