Palouse, Wash., Snow Removal Guidelines

Please help spread the word.  The Palouse Public Works Department is diligently working to clear streets.  Please read the following guidelines.  Your patience and understanding is appreciated.  Thank you.

City of Palouse Snow Removal Guidelines

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

 THESE ARE JUST GUIDELINES AND THE CITY MAINTENANCE CREW MAY NEED TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS ACCORDING TO WEATHER AND LABOR AVAILABILITY.

When there are at least 2 inches of snowfall between the hours of 5am and 6pm on weekdays, the street department will plow the below-mentioned streets in the following order (depending on upcoming forecast):

• --Main Street, Cove Road & the city’s part of the highways (i.e. the main entries & exits to town)
• --Bridge Street, H Street, Fairview, South River Road
• --Union, Alder, Church Street, Fire Station
• --Secondary roads and alleys are done as time permits
• --After-hour and weekend service will be limited to the main access roads
• --Safety is always the first concern of the street maintenance crew

The snow plow operator’s main objective is to keep our roadways open for the safe passage of traffic.  Whenever possible, operators try to minimize the size of berms across driveways.  However we do not have the resources to remove snow berms.  Removal of driveway berms is the responsibility of the property owner. 

Snow removal operations require the use of large, heavy, noisy equipment, sometimes during periods of darkness and limited visibility.  The large equipment, noise, and lights can be very exciting for children to watch.  The concentration required for efficient snow-removal, combined with noise and type of equipment used means that operators may not always be able to see small children close by and accidents could result.  Please encourage children not to build tunnels or forts in snow berms at any time!

Your road maintenance is expensive, dangerous and time-consuming.  Please help us by abiding by the following residential responsibilities:

·         When it starts to snow, park your vehicle off the street if possible.  Vehicles left parked in areas of snow removal operations can be a big problem.

·         It is the homeowners’ responsibility to remove snow on their sidewalks.  Please remember to shovel into your yard and not into the street; otherwise the snow plow ends up putting your snow back onto your sidewalk from the street.

·         The City prohibits placing snow or ice on any public street, sidewalk or parking space in a manner that impedes vehicle or pedestrian traffic or makes it unsafe.

·         For the winter, please remove from the city right-of-way any obstructions such as rocks, fences or planters.

·         Please keep your garbage cans at least five feet inside driveways away from the edge of the roadway.  If your garbage pick up is done via an alley, please move your cans to the street as directed by Empire Disposal.

·         Please don’t stack or plow snow over ends of culverts, in ditches, on top of drainage structures or close to fire hydrants.

·         Removal of driveway berm is the responsibility of the property owner.

·         Be aware of ice on the steep hills, i.e. Bridge Street & “H” Street.  Use alternate East & West routes.

·         After all the snow is gone it is the homeowners’ responsibility to sweep their sidewalks free of gravel.  Sweep gravel into the street for the street sweeper to collect.

 City of Palouse, 120 E. Main St. (509) 878 1811