City officials remind residents of snow plowing policy
PRIEST RIVER — As winter snows near, Priest River officials are reminding residents of the city’s snow plowing policy as well as share helpful guildlines to follow to help keep snow plowing operations safe and efficient.
City crews are dispatched after the accumulation of three or more inches of snow, Mayor Jim Martin said in a press release. The first areas to be plowed are the downtown business district and school bus routes, followed by all other city streets.
“After all streets are passable and as time allows, we will start the procedure of pushing back the snow to the road edge and removing snow piles from the downtown business district,” he said in the press release. “This operation may not begin until the following day or days depending on the severity of the storm.”
To help snow plow crew conduct operations in a safe and efficient manner, Martin advised residents to follow parking guidelines and noted that parking is prohibited year-round in the downtown business district between the hours of 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.
Residents also should “shovel smart,” Martin said, and reminded them not to shovel, plow, or blow snow from their driveway or sidewalk into the street, alley, or neighboring properties.
“Not only is it illegal, but it makes clearing the roadways more difficult,” Martin said in the press release.
If their schedule allows, Martin asked Priest River residents to wait until their street is plowed before shoveling to the end of your driveway. In addition, residents should keep their mailbox clear to ensure postal delivery, help clear snow and ice from around fire hydrants, and be careful when driving and give snowplow operators plenty of room.
Martin also asked resdients to talk to their children about snowplow safety and to remind them to stay away from snow piled on the road edge and reminded not to build forts in the piles.
“Children should also be taught to stay at least 20 feet back in the driveway when a plow comes down the street,” he said.