In recent years, we have seen a significant increase of markers and/or stakes placed alongside the Township Roads in the wintertime. Residents are placing these to alert snowplow drivers as to the location of their yards in an attempt to keep plows from scalping the grass. Unfortunately, this is creating problems for the drivers for multiple reasons. Let’s take a look at the facts in order to fully understand the position of Township on this growing and tricky situation.

Townships were originally created as a local governmental body to oversee the ongoing maintenance of public roads.  Over the years, more and more responsibilities have been added to the Township’s plate, but still the basic function hasn’t changed (maintaining public roads). All approved Township roads are open to the general public and are maintained for all to utilize, not just the residents of the Township or those that reside on that particular roadway. In addition, 90% of all Washington Township roads have a 50 foot (ROW) Right-of-Way; the remainder have a minimum of 40 foot in width. That means a typical road ROW is 25 foot from the center of the road. A quick measurement will reveal that the ROW extends well into most homeowners yards. This area is used to insure proper width of the cartway, (typically the paved or gravel portion), to facilitate drainage and most importantly for our area to allow for the placement of accumulating snow from regular plowing.

Many residents are placing markers at or very near the edge of the cartway. This makes it impossible to cast any snow from the plows back from the roadway and forces the plow driver to simply push the snow as close to the markers as possible. This makes it unmanageable to remove the accumulating snow back far enough to facilitate placement of future snow, and Lord knows that in Edinboro there will be future snow. The last few years have been kind to us and the markers haven’t been too much of a problem. This year is more like the old fashion Edinboro snows the elders tell us about, and not to be able to utilize the full width of the road is unacceptable.

Another problem this practice causes is the buildup of antiskid on the edge of the cartway. Over the years, this creates a dam so that water cannot enter the ditches along the road. The water then follows the edge causing further damage to the expensive asphalt or gouging out the gravel road and creating a false ditch that must be repaired. Washington Township is home to some beautiful yards, but the areas next to the cartway are not just for aesthetics they have functional uses as well. The edges must be cut down to allow water to shed off the roadway and we must be able to get the snow well of road to allow for future snows and the proper drainage of melting snows and runoff.

Washington Township Council is aware of the situation and encourages you to remove the stakes or move them back several feet from the cartway. If you are unsure, don’t hesitate to call the office at 734-3117 and speak to the Road Foreman, Rich Gould. He will gladly review your concerns and inform you of the best locations to place your markers if you insist on having them, but please be aware that we are not responsible for their removal or destruction as they are in the public ROW, but you will be responsible if they damage a plow. We will not be coming back in the spring to re-landscape your yard if the berms have been gouged out by plowing. Our concern is the roadway and the drainage there of. Our dedicated team of plow drivers work long hard hours to keep the roads open for everyone. They are great plow drivers but they are not landscapers. Your markers may be damaged or removed if they hinder the proper removal of snow, your berms may be scalped if they are too high and snow has to be pushed back. This old fashion Edinboro snow means good old fashion plowing has to be done. We appreciate your understanding of this situation; remember good things are always happening in Washington Township.