County carols ‘let it snow'

Staff plan briefing upbeat over success of new methods

Friday, Nov. 6, 2009

In the midst of a financial tempest, Charles County is bracing its residents and roads for any wicked weather that finds its way to Southern Maryland this winter.

There's roughly 6,000 tons of salt stored away in the county for this year's snowy season — enough for three good storms — $350,000 set aside in the budget for snow removal, and with no complaints from the commissioners during Monday's update on the department of public facilities' snow policy, all that's left to do is hunker down and hope for a mild season.

"It appears we're ready for the snow or the swine flu,whatever hits us this year," said Charles County commissioners' President F. Wayne Cooper (D).

By Nov. 15 the more than 100 companies awarded contracts for this year's winter cleanup will have to be outfitted with snow plows and salt spreaders and will be in service through March 15, said Stephen Staples, the county's roads chief. About 80 percent of the contractors are ready to go.

"If it was to snow tomorrow, we'd be ready," Staples said of the state of county plans.

During the briefing, Staples and Director of Public Facilities Bill Proper said the county would be following the general snow policy that has been in place in Charles County for a decade, along with the commissioner-approved adjustments from last year which modified the policy's procedural steps to preserve manpower and save money.

"County roads are classified as primary or residential roads," Staples said. "When it snows, snowplows concentrate on keeping primary roads and major residential neighborhood streets passable. These roads are cleared down to bare pavement as soon as possible after the storm is over."

Before the first flakes even make their way to settle quietly along the 1,900 or so lane miles of county roadways, the public facilities department will have its radios tuned to the National Weather Service and an ear will be lent for any updates from local news channels, the state and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Intellicast.

"The department of public facilities roads division will be prepared on a seven-day-a-week, 24-hour daily basis to respond to all winter weather conditions," Staples said. "When winter weather is forecasted, within the next 24 hours public facilities will begin monitoring weather conditions on an hourly basis. All snow removal staff will be placed on on-call status as dictated by the circumstances at hand."

Once a storm is confirmed there is a chain of command through the public facilities department, county administrator's office and all the way to the county commissioners' president who has the power to approve any mobilization of county staff and contracted forces, Staples said.

While the county used to keep contracted snow removers on standby in case of a storm threat, the commissioners approved the public facilities department's suggestion last year to phase-in — or stagger — the timing when the clearers are called in for bad weather.

Phones start ringing for the first phase contractors to assemble at least three hours before the estimated time of a storm's arrival.

According to a memo from the public facilities department, during this stage of preparation at least 100 trucks are readied for plowing.

Plowing begins once the department has gotten word there is no chance of melting and the flakes are piling between 1 and 3 inches deep.

Phases two and three are initiated when snow starts to accumulate more than 3 inches. The former includes salt trucks for relieving slippery roads in residential areas, while the latter heralds trucks and tractors without salt boxes for minor residential areas.

Phase four is called when more than a foot of snow falls.

Staples said depending on the depth of snow, drivers can expect to make safe passage along the primary and major roadways within 12 hours for 3 to 4 inches of snowfall. As the accumulation increases so does the response time, up to two days if there are multiple feet of snow on the roads.

Minor residential streets follow a similar schedule, Staples said, with plows passing through as early as 12 hours after a storm and increasing by six-hour intervals for every 2 or 3 inches that fall.

For roads that fall victim to hard-packed slush and ice over the following days, Staples said a combination of salt and sand is spread to provide adequate traction for vehicles.

According to county records, the 10-year total for the snow removal budget has been $10.7 million. Fiscal 2002 had the lowest figure at just over $425,000 but the year after required $2.8 million to rid the county of its frozen blanket.

Last fiscal year the county spent $792,000.

Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services Deborah Hudson said the county has a small contingency fund to handle unexpected expenses including foul weather that goes above and beyond the budget.

But what if the economy isn't the only volatile power to affect the county this year? Hudson said like any budget transfer, the county commissioners would have final approval of where funds would be drawn to keep the roadways clear and commuters safe.

"I think this is one of the hardest things to call," Cooper said. "We'll have three or four weather reports because of where we're located. It's a strange area for calling weather. We'll do the best we can."

msomers@somdnews.com