Snow Removal Information
In coordination with the Roadmaster, a sub-contractor plows the Township roads. In clearing the roads of accumulating snow, the plow has to maintain a certain speed. As a consequence the force of the plowed snow particularly when wet and heavy may cause the snow to hit mailboxes and if not secured properly may actually be knocked off its base. Thornbury Township’s policy is that we are not responsible for replacing or repairing mailboxes. Make sure your mailbox is securely planted on a sturdy post before the next snowfall.
In the past, the contractor has had to deal with snow that was improperly pushed from driveways into the road creating snow banks in the right-of-ways. This practice is not only dangerous to vehicular traffic and children walking along roadways, but is a hindrance to emergency equipment. Please do not deposit snow, ice or slush in cartways, right-of-ways, drainage areas or swales.
Signs are posted along township roadways indicating snow routes. In order to better address the community’s needs, there will be no parking along these designated roads when plowing is necessary. Also, please do not park cars in cul-de-sacs as this creates a difficult situation for the contractor to maneuver the plow in and around vehicles in these areas. Trash receptacles should not be placed in the roadway as this also may cause difficulty for the contractor.
State roads, of which there are many running through our Township, are plowed and salted by PennDOT on a priority basis.
*******
You Can Reduce The Risk of
West Nile Virus Around Your Home!
Mosquitoes need water to breed. The basic formula for reducing the mosquito population around your home is simple: eliminate their breeding spots, reduce their numbers.
Clean your yard now – get rid of anything that collects water:
old tires, tin cans, buckets, flowerpots, drums, etc.
Patrol the area after every rain.
Keep puddles from forming:
- Fill in any ruts or low places around your property.
- Repair any leaky pipes and outside faucets.
- Make sure your gutters and drainpipes are clean and running freely.
- Adjust tarps, grill covers and swimming pool covers.
- Store wheelbarrows upside down when not in use.
Stop stagnant water:
- Change the water in kiddie pools and birdpaths every few days.
- Cover your trash containers, recycling bins, etc.
- Empty drip trays under outside planter.
- Fill in tree rot holes and hollow stumps that hold water with sand or concrete.
And don’t forget to …
- Keep grass cut short and bushes trimmed near your house
so mosquitoes can’t hide.
- Check and repair windows and screens to prevent mosquitoes
from entering your house.
- Avoid mosquito-breeding areas during peak periods of mosquito activity
–dusk, dawn after rain.
- Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin (do not apply to fact). Follow label instructions carefully! Parents should avoid applying repellents to the hands of children and never allow children to apply repellents. Do not use repellents on very young children (less than 3 years old).
For more information, please contact:
Delaware County Intercommunity Health Coordination 610-891-5311 www.co.delaware.pa.us
Pennsylvania Department of Health 1-877-PA-HEALTH
www.westnile.state.pa.us
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) www.cdc.gov/nicodo/dvbid/westnile/index.htm
*******
Important Information about Fluorescent Lights
If you have fluorescent lights in your house, you should know that they contain mercury, which can be a health hazard in the event a bulb should break. Therefore, if a bulb breaks, always leave the room for at least 15 minutes and NEVER clean up with your bare hands. For information on how to clean up a bulb breakage, go to the following EPA website:
http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/#fluorescent
*******
Gas Pipeline Safety
Dial 8-1-1
Know what’s below.
Call before you dig.
In Pennsylvania homeowners and contractors are required to contact PA One Call, by dialing 8-1-1 at least three business days before beginning any digging or excavation project. When PA One Call receives a call, it will alert the appropriate underground facility owners of the intent to dig. The underground facility owners will identify any underground lines or facilities at the work site. In 2006, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ordered all local telecommunications exchange carries and other carriers with switching capabilities – including payphone providers – in Pennsylvania to fully implement 8-1-1 as the abbreviated dialing code to access PA One Call.
Click here for more information.
*******
Here are some tips for a better lawn this upcoming
Spring/Summer season!
· Set your lawn blade to its highest setting. A high cut 3”) encourages deeper roots. Increasing the grass height only 1/8 inch results in about 300 square feet more of leaf surface for each 100 square feet of lawn. More leaf surface enables grass to generate more energy for healthy growth, especially of roots. Taller grass shades out weeds, limits moisture evaporation from soil and harbors beneficial insects which control pests. Cut the lawn often enough so that you remove no more than 1/3 of the blade at one time. This means more frequent mowings in the spring, fewer in the heat of summer.
· Leave your grass clippings as you mow. Clippings provide nutrition for your lawn. They are comprised of water, organic matter, nitrogen, and a small amount of phosphorous – all things your grass needs. Because clippings supply up to 50% of a lawn’s nitrogen needs over the season, you will not need as much fertilizer. Clippings from regular mowings will NOT cause thatch build up and will not hurt the grass.
· Do not dump yard waste (clippings, branches or leaves) in the street where it can wash into storm drains, or in parks, along streams, or piled at the base of trees (and, as the Township Roadmaster notes, do not dump into any township outfalls: discharge storm water pipes).
Sources: Penn State Cooperative Extension; compiled by Chester-Ridley-Crum Watersheds Association
*******
Deer Control
In response to recent concerns from township residents regarding the deer and geese population, please contact the Township (610-399-8383, Ext. 7) to report a dead animal. Game meat will be donated to City Teams Mission.
*******
Overgrowth Along Roadways
Maintenance and control of overgrowth on private property along roadways are the responsibility of the home owner. Failure to do so “… may cause danger to traffic by obscuring the view or shall in any other way be a source of danger.” (Ord. Chapter 27 Sec. 2111)
*******
Pennsylvania Floods and Flash Floods
Information on preparing for a flood and what to do during a flood is available on the following website:
http://www.pema.state.pa.us/pema/cwp/view.asp?A=566&Q=254880&tx=1
*******
Pennsylvania Road Work Info available from PennDOT
For anyone interested in roadwork being performed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, you can visit PennDOT’s website for travel information.
Simply go to PennDOT’s web site: www.dot.state.pa.us, and click “Statewide Construction Map”, which illustrates any work being done along roads and streets throughout the state.
*******
Right of Way / Easement Information
Because of recent activities by utility companies in and around Thornbury Township streets and roads residents have asked about right-of-ways/easements along their property. Consequently, we thought it would be a good time to define what a rightof-way/easement is and how you might be affected by work being done in your area.
A right-of-way/easement is defined as “That portion of land or property reserved for present or future use by a person or agency other than the legal fee owner(s) of the property. The right-of-way/easement shall be permitted to be for the use under, on or above said lot or lots.” according to the 2003 International Zoning Code. Within these areas, utilities, such as gas, water and/or sewer lines may be located.
Work may be performed by the Township, State and/or utility company whenever necessary. Distances can vary depending on your street address. The right-of-way/ easement measurement can be as little 33’ and as much as 50’.
If you have further questions, please contact the Township office at: 610-399-8383 ext. 6 to speak to Lindsey Price, Roadmaster.
********
Clean Water Begins with You – Be a Part of the Solution!
STORM DRAINS:
Never dump anything down a storm drain, especially used motor oil or antifreeze. Dispose of these properly at a local service station or approved recycling center.
PET WASTE:
Pet waste can be a major source of excess nutrients and bacteria to local waterbodies. It is important to always pick up after your pet and dispose of the waste properly.
AUTO CARE:
Washing your car at home on the driveway or street can send detergents and other contaminants through the storm system. It is best to wash your car at a commercial car wash where they treat and recycle the wastewater. If you do wash your car at home, do so in your yard so the water infiltrates into the ground.
STREAMBANK LANDSCAPING:
Erosion of streambanks can be prevented through the use of vegetated strips along the banks. Also known as riparian buffers, these strips of tall grasses, trees, and flowers act to stabilize banks, which prevents erosion and additional sediment load in the stream
RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPING:
Downspouts: Direct all downspouts away from impervious surfaces and onto lawns. Rain barrels can be used to collect the rainwater from downspouts. This water can be used later on the lawn and garden.
Lawn care: Fertilizers and pesticides should be used sparingly. When applied in excess, these chemicals are washed off by rainwater and enter the local storm sewer system. Additionally, it is important not to sweep yard waste and leaves into the street. These add extra nutrients to streams.
Rain Gardens or Grassy Swales: These specially designed gardens can be planted with native vegetation to provide an area for rainwater to collect and soak into the ground. Stormwater from rooftop drains and pavement areas can be directed to these vegetated areas.