Henniker, New Hampshire
Highway DepartmentJohn Margeson, Superintendent
phone 428-7200
Snow Removal and Road Maintenance Liability
The Town of Henniker will no longer be responsible for damages to, but not limited to, mailboxes, fences, stonewalls, lawns, driveways, or any other object placed within the right of way of any town road or street.
It is the responsibility of the owner of such property to replace or repair anything within a town right-of-way that has been damaged as a result of town road maintenance.
Approved by the Board of Selectmen September 12, 2000
Winter Road Maintenance
S.O.P. versionThe following winter storm procedures will be implemented as directed by the Highway Superintendent or his assignee. Upon arrival of winter storm warning, appropriate highway personnel will be called to treat public roadways according to the procedures listed below.
1. As snowfall begins to cover the roads, salt trucks will be dispatched to "pre-salt" paved surfaces in order to prevent packing of snow and ice. Certain weather conditions, such as extreme cold or unseasonably warm temperatures, may cause variation from this practice, and is up to the discretion of the Highway Superintendent or his assignee.
2. After "pre-salting" is completed and snow accumulations reach 2" to 3", personnel and equipment will be dispatched to the appropriate routes assigned to them. Snow plowing will continue as necessary throughout the duration of the storm. Certain weather conditions, such as a changeover to rain or freezing rain, may result in temporary suspension of plowing operations and is up to the discretion of the Highway Superintendent or his assignee. Normal snow plowing operations will resume when the rain is stopped or the Highway Superintendent or his assignee deems it necessary.
3. The Highway Department will plow and/or treat all town-owned sidewalks at the end of the storm or when personnel become available to do so.
4. When a storm has ended, all plowed road surfaces, sidewalks and applicable parking lots will be treated with sand and/or salt as deemed necessary by the Highway Superintendent or assignee.
5. The Highway Department will be responsible for snow removal on other town properties such as, but not necessarily limited to, the Town Hall, Fire Station, Police Station, Library, Grange, Historical Society, Congregational Church and portions of the Henniker Community School. The parking lot behind Daniel's Restaurant and the stairway leading down from Main Street will be appropriately treated by the Highway Department. Timing of the treatment of these areas will be determined by the Highway Superintendent or assignee, with particular attention to school hours and to emergency services.
6. Roadways will be "pushed back" after large accumulations allowing for future storms and to widen the driving lanes. Snow will be removed from the "downtown" area when accumulations restrict access to stores, businesses and parking areas. This work is to be completed after highways and sidewalks are treated and personnel is available, and at the discretion of the Highway Superintendent or assignee. (In that this is a nighttime operation, personnel should have an appropriate period of rest time before beginning "downtown" snow removal.)
7. Complaints received during the storm regarding snow plowing operations will be investigated and responded to as timely as possible. An appropriate response will be determined by the Highway Superintendent or assignee and followed up on within 48 hours after the storm has ended.
8. The Highway Department will monitor and respond to hazards and public safety issues that are reported by the police or other emergency service providers in Henniker. Response to these reports will be as soon as deemed possible by the Highway Superintendent or assignee.
This document is to be used as a basic guide for winter roadway maintenance. As New England storms are notoriously unpredictable, it should be expected that certain procedures will be changed, sometimes abruptly, in order to provide the best overall results at the time. Changes to these procedures are to be at the discretion of the Highway Superintendent or assignee.