SNOW REMOVAL QUESTIONS

The Town of Dover’s 33 miles of streets are plowed by the Department of Public Works with assistance by the Water Department.  These drivers often work 12 or more hours in a shift during a snow storm to provide a reasonable level of service for clearance of snow or ice and maintenance of the street system during the winter months for routine travel and emergency services.  Snow plowing is a time consuming, laborious, and stressful job.  It is very helpful to the drivers of the snowplows if as many vehicles as possible are moved off the streets.  This will expedite the snow removal efforts.

We encourage residents to: 1) be patient; 2) refrain from shoveling your sidewalk until the snow has stopped and plowing is complete; 3) to move your vehicle off the street and into your driveway so the plows can clear the street completely; and 4) observe the Town’s Snow Ordinances regarding your street.  If you have any questions regarding parking on your street during a snow storm, click HERE for snow ordinances.

Below are answers to basic questions that are asked during the winter season plowing.

When does snow removal begin?

When snow has accumulated to 2”.  When snow has accumulated to 4” or greater, a snow emergency is declared.  

Why does the plow leave snow at my driveway?

As the plow moves down the street, snow rolls off the edge of the blade, discharging snow into the driveways, curbs and around mailboxes (at the curb).  When clearing your street, crews have no place to push the snow except to the curb.  This creates the unavoidable problem of already cleared sidewalks and driveways becoming covered in snow. Unfortunately, the Town does not have the personnel to clean sidewalks and driveways.  We ask for your cooperation by not pushing or blowing snow into the street.

Can the Town remove the snow they put in my driveway?

When you consider the large number of driveways in the town, it is just too costly and time consuming to use additional workers and equipment to perform this service.

How do I keep my driveway clear?

During winter operations, snow will be deposited onto driveways. DPW drivers cannot lift their plows at every driveway. Doing so would cause the snow to be left on the roadway. Residents are asked to pile the snow on the right-hand side (when facing road) of the driveway. Plow blades will then push snow into the area just before your driveway, leaving a much smaller amount in front of the driveway.

Why don’t drivers put the blades down and plow all the snow off to the pavement?

The Street Department uses “gravity” plows that are mounted on the trucks.  These plows tend to ride on top of compacted snow.

My street wasn’t plowed completely because of parked cars.  Can you come back and plow again?

We will certainly try to when time permits.  The first priority is to open the main arterials and then the secondary streets.  Once all streets are open, the plows can return to clear off the streets.  Call the Street Department at 973-366-2200 x3129.

Which streets are cleared by the Street Department?

The Street Department is responsible for snow removal from all streets in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wards, except for private roads, within the Town limits.  The Water Department is responsible for all streets in the 1st Ward.  Streets are plowed curb to curb as often as needed to keep them clear.  Several streets are considered County roads, which are plowed by the County of Morris (portion of Mt. Hope Avenue, N. Morris Street, S. Morris Street, E. Blackwell Street, W. Blackwell, Reservoir Avenue, Millbrook Avenue, VanNostrand Avenue, S. Salem Street and Prospect Street) and Route 46 (McFarlan St.) and Route 15 (Clinton St.) is plowed by the NJ Department of Transportation.

What about snow removal in the downtown business district?

The snow removal in the business district is plowed by both the County of Morris Public Works (East & West Blackwell & Morris Street) and the Town (all other streets) until the snow has stopped accumulating and the streets are cleared for traffic.

When will my street be plowed?

When a snow emergency is declared, residential plowing will occur.  Residential snow removal begins as so as the snowfall ends & there has been a minimum of 4” of snow accumulation.  Depending on the severity of the snowstorm, residential streets are usually completed within 24 hours after the snowfall ends.  Keep in mind it may take longer to clear all town streets in case of a severe blizzard or equipment failure.  During residential plowing, it is very helpful if cars are moved into the driveway or to a street that has been cleared.  If at all possible, please do not park on streets during residential plowing.  Residential alleys are not plowed by the Street Department.

What do crews do if there is not enough snow to plow, but the streets are icy?

During light snowfalls and when streets are icy, street crews will spread a mixture of salt and calcium on major arterials first and then to secondary streets.

It seems like we’re always plowed last.  Why can’t we be first?

We have a planned sequence of residential plowing and we try to cover the areas in a fair and equitable manner.

Whom can I call if I have a complaint or request?

For plowing and salting from the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wards, call the Street Department at 973-366-2200 x3129 during regular business hours Monday through Friday 7:30am to 3:30pm, and for the 1st Ward, call the Water Department at 973-366-2200 x2125 during regular business hours Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm.  For parked cars, contact the Dover Police Department at 973-366-2200 x4001.

Why was my car towed off the street?

Certain streets in the Town have parking restrictions during a snowstorm.  These regulations make the plowing of the streets easier to clear and more efficient to plow.  Signs are posted on these streets and vehicles parked in violation of the snow ordinance are subject to being ticketed and towed by the Dover Police Department.  Click

Can you pass a snow plow?

Give snowplows plenty of room to work. Don't tailgate and try not to pass. If you must pass, take extreme caution in doing so. Remember, a snowplow operator's field of vision is restricted. You may see him, but they don't always see you.  Vehicles should NEVER pass a plow truck on the right.

How many feet should you stay behind a snow plow?

As a general rule, stay at least 200 feet behind a snowplow engaged in snow and ice removal.

When are the public parking lots plowed? 

All Town owned parking lots are plowed once the streets are done.

How will the plow driver know where my property is when I don’t have curbing?

Before the ground freezes and before the snow comes, you should install snow stakes on your property along the street edge to protect your property. These stakes, if placed as close as possible to the edge of pavement will eliminate the risk that your lawn will be damaged by snowplows. When snowplowing, it can be nearly impossible to see the edge of the road. Snow stakes show the edge of the road and keep plows in the street and away from your lawns.

I live on a street with snow ordinance regulations, what should I do with my car if I’m on vacation?

Residents who do not have off-street parking facilities such as a garage or driveway, need to make arrangements to either have their car moved by a friend or neighbor, or have their car stored in a garage during vacations.

Is there garbage and recycling collections during snowstorms?

Garbage and recycling collections continue during snowstorms. However, depending on the severity and duration of the storms, collections may be delayed.