Show All Answers

1. How should I approach a snowplow or sander?

With caution and respect! Remember, in the winter plows and sanders must be on the roads and must be anticipated. In order to completely clear a lane, the plow needs to be as close to the center line as possible. Give them the room they need to do the best job possible. In addition, never tailgate a snowplow or sander. Stay back at least 200 feet.

2. What are property owners’ wintertime mail box responsibilities?

The County Department of Highways would like to remind property owners that during the winter months, snow and ice removal is the priority operation for maintenance forces. While it is unfortunate that encounters with rural delivery mail boxes occur, it is an unintended consequence of providing safe driving conditions for those traveling along maintained routes.
Property owners occasionally contact the Department requesting that they be reimbursed for damaged or broken mail boxes. While any damage is an unintended consequence of clearing snow and ice, there is no statutory or legal responsibility which grants a property owner any right to place a mailbox within the Right-of-Way. While property owners’ may have an informal license, this does not endow the owner of the mailbox any legal rights in the highway when needed for highway purposes.
Highway Law Section 319 supports this policy as does an opinion from the Attorney General stating that, “The owner has no right to interfere with the speedy and efficient removal of snow by placing the mailbox in such a position as to cause this result, and no liability results on the part of the public official charged with the duty on snow removal if such box is so placed that it may be injured by proper highway maintenance.” Property owners’ may reduce the risk of mailbox damage due to snow and ice removal by ensuring their mailbox is properly erected. The US Postal Service may be consulted for general mailbox guidelines.
The Department appreciates your understanding in this matter and would like to remind all property owners that clearing the highways of snow and ice during the winter months is done with the intent of providing safe passage for motorists who use the transportation system. The Department undertakes this mission so that everyone may travel safe, well maintained highways during the winter months.

3. What are property owners’ snow disposal responsibilities?

The County Department of Highways would like to remind property owners that during the winter months, snow and ice should not be deposited or stockpiled on or along the highway as this activity poses a hazard to pedestrians and motorists alike. Snow and ice left on or along the highway creates unsafe driving conditions and safety concerns including; limited site distance, impact hazards, and drainage concerns. Failure to remove deposited snow and ice could result in accidents the property owner may be liable for. Failure to remove deposited snow and ice is also a violation of Section 1219 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law – Putting glass or other injurious substances on highway prohibited.
Winter snow storage along pedestrian routes poses particular safety issues. The storage of snow along sidewalks and other roadside appurtenances results in poor visibility for pedestrians and motorists. It is the Department of Highways wish to educate property owners as to their responsibility and to ensure safe highway conditions for all who use them.

4. Why does the county highway spread salt before a storm?

This practice is used as a preventive to ice formation. A layer of brine is formed on the pavement which greatly decreases the formation of ice and prevents snow from bonding to the pavement making snow removal easier. Overall, less salt is used making the practice economical as well as safety conscious.

5. Why doesn't the county plow come by my house more often?

Each driver's plow route is approximately 25 miles long and is traveled at the most efficient rate for applying materials: approximately 35 mph. In addition, the driver needs to come back to the county salt shed periodically and reload. These factors are critical in determining how fast a driver will complete their route and when they will be able to go over the route again.