Chesterton Tribune

 

 

Park off street; expect heavy snow at end of driveway

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By KEVIN NEVERS

Here’s what Chesterton Street Commissioner John Schnadenberg wants you to do: park off the street.

Here’s what he wants you to know: when the plowing’s all done, there will be a mound of wet, heavy snow at the foot of your driveway.

On the subject of off-street parking: Schnadenberg told the Chesterton Tribune this morning that it’s vital for residents to get their vehicles off the roadway, not only because it makes the plow driver’s job easier and the quality of the plow better but because in blizzard conditions--which the National Weather Service is now forecasting--it’s hard for the plow drivers to see.

“Visibility in a blizzard is terrible,” Schnadenberg said. “We have to go really slow and be careful of people and road hazards.”

On the subject of driveways: between seven and 12 inches of snow roughly the consistency and mass of wet concrete are expected to fall into Thursday morning, and there’s just no way for a plow driver to clear a street and not leave driveways blocked.

“There will be snow at the end of your driveway,” Schnadenberg said. “If you aren’t able to clear it yourself, you need to make arrangements with a neighbor or relative to do it.”

Schnadenberg did want to remind residents that Town Code prohibits them from shoveling or blowing snow into the roadway. Doing so is punishable by a $100 fine.

The Chesterton Street Department has six plows which will be manned in 12-hour shifts around the clock. Schnadenberg’s strategy, as always, is to open the main roads first, then make a pass through the subdivisions, then alternate between main roads and subdivisions for the duration.

It takes at least eight hours after the last flake falls to fully clear all public rights-of-way, including cul-de-sacs, in Chesterton, Schnadenberg noted. It may take longer, given the horrendous conditions expected.

Town of Porter

Porter Public Works Director Brenda Brueckheimer, for her part, told the Tribune today that her preparations are in place. “Three trucks are out salting now ahead of the snow,” she said at 8 a.m. “We have 300 tons of salt. And we are ready for the event.”

Brueckheimer did make a special plea, however. “Be kind to plow drivers,” she said. “Be patient. Just be kind.”

And she had an announcement: the Porter Town Council enacted at its meeting Tuesday night an ordinance requiring the residents of subdivisions to park their vehicles off the street, in their driveways or garages, when there are more than three inches of snow.

“So plow drivers can do their job,” Brueckheimer said.

In an emergency, she added, call the Public Works Department at 926-4212. “If we can help, we will.”

Unincorporated County

Residents of unincorporated Porter County are also required, under ordinance, to park their vehicles off the street in the event of two or more inches of snow, Highway Supervisor David James told the Tribune.

“We’ve been enforcing that now for the last couple of years,” he said.

James made a particular point of urging folks to stay put and off the roads, if possible. “And if you need to go out, be careful. I mean, it’s a snowstorm for Pete’s sake. I’m just glad the area schools”--with the exception, that is, of Valparaiso Community Schools--“called off.”

 

 

Posted 2/24/2016

 
 
 
 

 

 

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