Highway

TO REACH THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT:

Highway Superintendent: Todd Martin 845-266-5853 option 4

DECEMBER, 2025:

A MESSAGE FROM:

TOWN OF CLINTON HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT TODD MARTIN

BEST PRACTICES FOR SNOW REMOVAL

Beginning as early as September the Town of Clinton Highway Department begins preparing for the winter months ahead by reviewing snow removal routes and servicing equipment. Preparation and servicing of equipment for the upcoming winter continues through November. The Highway Department’s salt storage facility is stockpiled with approximately 2,500 tons of salt. In order to be properly prepared for the inclement weather during the snow season, the Highway Department continually monitors daily weather conditions via satellite and receives daily weather reports from local weather sources.

WHEN THE SNOWFALL STARTS

An important step in dealing with snowfalls is street salting. Top priority is given to the Town’s main roads. Those roads are routes that the Town has found to have the heaviest year-round traffic and usually are major arteries running north/south or east/west.

The snow removal process starts when frozen precipitation beings falling. Operations initiate with the application of salt and magnesium chloride (with an organic enhancer) to the roads and continue until the roads are clear or material application is no longer effective due to the depth of the snow.

WHEN SNOWFALL CONTINUES

When two or three inches of snow have accumulated and more is expected, snow is more economically removed by plowing rather than salting. All public roads, main thoroughfares and residential streets will be plowed by the Highway Department personnel. Our first responsibility is to open the main roads. These arterials are the key to providing safe access for emergency vehicles as well as maintaining the steady flow of traffic. The plows then continue to all streets on the route to “open up” each one in sequence. If the storm continues in intensity, the trucks remain in the same pattern until the storm abates. At that time, the trucks begin to “widen out” all roads by pushing the accumulated snow back and clearing intersections.

Remember, trained crews work around the clock during these storms to keep the roads open and passable.

If you wish to report a hazardous condition:

call the Highway Department at 266-5853 x4.
If there is a medical emergency, call 911.

AFTER THE STORM IS OVER

Crews continue to monitor all roads for icy spots and areas where winds redeposit the snow in traffic lanes. Usually an application of salt and/or sand is applied to all streets so the riding surface remains drivable. Crews are also dispatched to clear catch basins so the melting snow can run off.

PARKING AND TRAVEL REGULATIONS

There is a no parking practice on town roadways in the Town of Clinton from November 15th to April 15th of each year. Vehicles parked illegally or abandoned on roads are subject to towing at the owner’s expense as well as being ticketed by the Police Department. As soon as you are aware that bad weather is on the way, make sure your vehicle is off of the street. This protects your car from being splashed with slush, becoming plowed in, or being hit by passing vehicles. Best of all, the snowplow has space to plow the snow.

Please do not go out during or immediately after a snowstorm unless it is truly necessary.

Crews have many hours of hard work to complete their snow clearing operations. Less traffic on the road means that we will be able to clear the roads more quickly and completely. Under the best of conditions, it will take us at least 8 hours from the time it stops snowing completely to complete our snow removal operations. Also, please understand that the Highway Department cannot shovel ridges or windrows from your driveway entrance, nor can we plow private property.

SUGGESTIONS

When shoveling out the mouth of your driveway, throw it to the right of your driveway as you face the road. Throwing or plowing snow in the road can create a patch of snow and ice that freezes over and causes a hazardous condition. Besides, it will only be redeposited when the plow comes around again.
If possible, finish clearing your driveway entrance after the final widening pass has been completed. HINT: Leave a strip of snow at the edge of your driveway; this will block some of the snow from entering your driveway when the plow widens the roadway. The final widening pass is usually completed approximately 8 to 10 hours after the snow stops completely. This depends on the severity of the storm.
Plan alternate ways and extra time to travel to main routes and to your place of employment.
Remember – slow down, brake slowly and allow plenty of room between you and the vehicle ahead of you. During times of reduced visibility, watch for pedestrians, bicycles and disabled vehicles.
Maintain your vehicle properly. Equip your car with snow tires or chains and keep your windshield, headlights and taillights clean at all time.

DRIVEWAY PERMITS:

If you are planning on putting in a driveway, find the forms here: Driveway Application Packet

SCRAP METAL:

Scrap metal: The metal dumpster has been moved into the fenced area, but we are still happily accepting metal. The drop off times will follow the Highway hours.

Questions? Please contact Todd Martin, Highway Superintendent at 845-266-5853 Option 4