Township Names New Snow Emergency Routes

In preparation for potential winter storms, the board of commissioners unanimously voted to shrink the previous number of main roads considered to be snow emergency routes.

The approval of new snow emergency routes, which took place at last night’s regular meeting, is in accordance with the Pennsylvania Traffic Code, which authorizes the township to regulate traffic flow during snow and ice emergencies for the safety of residents and travelers within the township.

“One of our objectives is to main streets so that people can get through the township,” Ward 6 commissioner and board president Sam Valenza said, during the public hearing portion of last night’s board of commissioners meeting.

In previous Public Health and Safety committee meetings, a major consideration factor for the then proposed revisions were to enable a higher level of efficiency and safety for first responders, who primarily would use the routes.

Ward 7 commissioner James McKenna noted that in such cases of emergency, the township’s various departments will also work together to clear roads en route to the emergency, regardless if the site is on the snow emergency route.

A public hearing on the snow emergency routes was held prior to the action vote, which took place during the regular meeting in the , later in the evening.

During the public hearing, members of the public shared concerns that the revised snow emergency routes would redirect traffic, causing more problems.

Daniel Rosenbaum, a Ward 3 resident, also spoke during the public hearing. He expressed concern for himself and his neighbors along his Duffield Street residence, explaining that the snow emergency routes take exception to secondary roads.

According to Rosenbaum, Duffield Street has a dead end, which, considering the street’s steep incline makes it nearly impossible for some residents to travel after a heavy snowstorm.

Ward 3 commissioner and Public Health and Safety committee chair, Donna Parsell, during the regular meeting, noted that she did express concerns for the residents of Duffield Street during the previous committee meetings, but said she was in favor of the revision.

“I think this will actually improve the efficiency with which our streets are cleaned,” Parsell said. “And, again, if there are any issues, we will make sure they are addressed.”

Parsell, during the public hearing, said that township residents are able to contact the township for such needs as street plowing.

“And, if no one answers Public Works, call me,” David Dodies, Upper Moreland Township manager added.

Dodies further stated that the issue of clearing snow emergency routes and plowing township roads are two separate issues between emergency situations and township services.

Valenza later added that the ordinance would not lessen the township’s clearing of secondary roads.

Ward 1 commissioner Lisa Romaniello also added that township residents should expect improvements.

“We do have 17 plows, and 28 streets listed,” Romaniello said of the snow emergency routes. “We do have a good Public Works department, we should be able to handle this pretty easily.”

According to Dodies, the proposed revision to the snow emergency routes were posted on the township’s website since Oct. 19. He added that the township is currently working on a map of the snow emergency routes, to be distributed to the public at a later date.

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Revised Snow Emergency Routes

• Bensal from Exton to Newtown

• Blair Mill from Welsh to County Line

• Brook from York to the PW Yard

• Byberry from Pioneer to Warminster

• Centennial from Pioneer to Warminster

• Center from Moreland to York

• County Line from Blair Mill to (UMT border)

• County Line from Warminster to Short (UMT border)

• Davisville from Moreland to County Line

• Division from Moreland to Greyhorse

• Easton from Blair Mill to Moreland

• Edgehill from Moreland to Huntingdon

• Exton from Davisville to Bensal

• Fitzwatertown from Moreland to York

• Greyhorse from Division to Terwood

• Horsham from Blair Mill to Castello (UMT border)

• Huntingdon from Terwood to Edgehill

• Mill from Easton to York

• Moreland from Blair Mill to Edghill

• Newton from Bensal to Warminster

• Organgemans from Byberry to Pioneer

• Overlook from Davisville to Edgehill

• Pioneer from Byberry to Davisville

• Pioneer from Orangemans to Centennial

• Terwood from York to Paper Mill (UMT border)

• Warminster from York to County Line

• W. Moreland from Blair Mill to Flamingo (UMT border)

• York from Moreland to Newington (UMT border)