A Ride With Frank

I would like to introduce you to Frank Young, Road Foreman for Tatamy Borough.



Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to ride along with Frank while he cleared snow from the streets. Let me tell you - what an eye opening experience.

Bottom line - it's a thankless job. Everyone expects it to be done, yet everyone has a complaint. The complaints range from "why haven't you cleared my road yet?" to "why are you constantly putting the snow in my driveway after I just finished shoveling it out?" We met some really great people along the way. We were given coffee (thank you). Most folks waved as we went by. However, unfortunately there are also some really nasty folks out there. We got cursed at, and more than once I saw the one fingered salute.

Plowing the roads is not an easy task. Sure - everyone thinks all you need to do is ride around in the truck where it's nice and warm, and push the snow out of the way. Well - let me tell you that's totally not the case. There are other cars (both parked and moving); children sledding; snowmobiles cutting in front of you; trees, mailboxes, and those dreadful manhole covers that, if hit just right, will jar all the teeth in your mouth loose.

Here are a few examples:



Overgrown trees. This particular tree in North Tatamy is way overgrown and, as you can tell, is sticking out into the road. This coming spring, the borough will be working with property owners to identify and trim the trees that are in the borough's right of way.



Mailboxes. These particular mailboxes are too far over the curb. If we weren't careful and just motoring down the road, they would have been trashed for sure. Please - for those of you in town who have mailboxes (and there are more and more popping up every day it seems) - make sure that they are installed so that they're a few inches back from the curb. Information on the proper way to install your mailbox can be found on the US Post Office's website by clicking here.

A few other things to remember:

1. The borough has established a priority order of which streets get plowed in what order. A map is posted in the lobby of the Borough Office that designates the order in which the streets get plowed.

2. Unfortunately the cul-de-sacs are done last. Sorry folks - it's just the way it is. The main roads have to be cleared first. Speaking of cul-de-sacs, there has been a rash of complaints lately "why are you dumping the snow all over my lawn?" When the developers submit their plans for the sub-division, included in those plans are designated areas in the cul-de-sac where the snow is to be placed. The borough is placing the snow in these designated areas.

3. Please stay out of the way of the plow. It's a big truck and doesn't stop or turn on a dime as it is. Add the weight of the large plow and several tons of salt and cinders in the bed of the truck and, well, you know the rest of the story.

4. Please understand that the priority of the borough is clearing the streets as soon as possible. Please also understand that while we don't enjoy it, unfortunately snow is going to be dumped in your driveway. That's what happens. It's unavoidable. It's part of living in an area where it snows. A suggestion perhaps would be to wait until we've finished our clearing operation before you shovel your driveway clear. If you are curious as to when it would be OK to shovel your driveway, flag Frank down and ask him if he's finished with your particular street yet. If he is, great - go ahead and shovel out (DO NOT THROW THE SNOW IN THE STREET), if not, he'll probably give you a good idea when he will be done so that you can plan accordingly.

5. DO NOT THROW YOUR SNOW INTO THE STREET. This includes snowblowers. If you're caught you risk getting a ticket that comes with a pretty hefty fine.

Thanks in advance for your support.