[Vision2020] PR - Winter Weather Tips

[Stephanie Kalasz]

PRESS RELEASE

Title:  City of Moscow Winter Weather Tips

November 24, 2010 - The City of Moscow would like to share important information on avoiding frozen pipes and street, keeping fire hydrants and sidewalks clear, and snow removal procedures.

Avoid Frozen Pipes

*         Leave cabinet doors under sinks open, especially if they are located on exterior walls.

*         Set thermostats no lower than 55 degrees, even if the house is unoccupied.

*         Do not remove snow from the tops of water meter boxes unless it creates a safety hazard. An accumulation of snow will help insulate the water meter service and prevent freezing.

*         Do not open water meter boxes as this will allow any natural heat to escape and may contribute to freezing of the water system.

*         Please call the water department for any problem with the water meter or emergency water shutoff.

*         If your pipes do freeze, the best way to defrost pipes those is to use a hair dryer, or call a plumber.  If the system is frozen at the meter box, call the Moscow Water Department at 208-882-3122

*         For more information please contact the Moscow Water Department at 208-882-3122.

Keep Fire Hydrants Cleared

*         Citizens are requested to be observant of fire hydrant locations to ensure that emergency access to those hydrants is maintained.

*         Hydrants on dead end streets and near parking lots are especially susceptible to being blocked.

*         The Water and Fire Departments request that a two to three foot circle around the hydrants be left clear of significant snow accumulations to provide clear emergency access.

*         If residents are unable to clear a hydrant or wish to report a blocked hydrant, please call the Moscow Water Department at 208-882-3122.

Citizen Sidewalk Maintenance

*         Under a Moscow City ordinance, it is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner to keep sidewalks clear of snow and debris.

*         Moscow City Code - Title 5 Public Ways and Property

o   Sec. 9-3 Owner to Remove - It shall be the duty of every owner of any land, building, or lot within the City to remove snow and/or ice from adjacent sidewalks to permit the safe pedestrian passage upon said sidewalks bordering said property and to abate the nuisance set forth in this Chapter.  This duty applies to natural snowfall; it does not extend to snow displaced onto sidewalks by City snowplows after an owner has removed natural snowfall.

*         For more information please contact the Public Works Department at 208-883-7034.

Information on Street Snow Removal

*         After snowfall events, major streets and arterials are plowed first, and repeatedly depending on the rate of the snow fall, followed by the lesser traveled residential areas.

*         During heavy snowfall events residents are asked to park off the street to allow plows to clear as much of the roadway as possible.

*         If residents have a concern regarding a street that has not been plowed please call 208-882-COPS.

*         The Moscow Pullman Highway, Highway 8 and Highway 95 are State roads and snow removal on these routes is performed jointly by the City of Moscow and the Idaho Transportation Department.

*         The street crews work on staggered shifts during the late fall and winter each year.  When a storm event occurs the crews begin operations based on their shift schedules.  If the storm is significant enough to warrant continued or additional operations the crews work extended hours regardless of time or day of the week.

*         If a series of storms occurs additional staffing is added from other divisions of the Public Works Department to ensure round the clock operation of all snow removal equipment.

*         For weekend and off-hours events snow removal operations are activated based on the road conditions and the severity of the storm events.  Work schedules, staffing levels and budgets have very little weight in this determination as it is based on the driving conditions and safety of the citizens.

*         For more information please contact the Public Works Department at 208-883-7034.
###
Story Contact:   City of Moscow Water Department 208-882-3122
                                City of Moscow Public Works Department 208-883-7034

The City of Moscow delivers quality municipal services while ensuring responsible use of resources. We anticipate and meet the needs of our diverse population in order to build public trust and enhance a sense of community.


Jen

Jen Pfiffner
Assistant to the City Supervisor
City of Moscow
PO Box 9203 | 206 E Third Street
Moscow, ID 83843
p  | 208.883.7123
f   | 208.883.7018
w | www.ci.moscow.id.us<http://www.ci.moscow.id.us>


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.fsr.com/pipermail/vision2020/attachments/20101124/4e46055c/attachment-0001.html