ANDERSON, IN - Keeping Anderson streets open and free of ice and snow will be the target of the city’s Snow Removal Task Force for winter 2007-2008. According to Mayor Kevin S. Smith’s directive, city department heads and supervisors have already met to plan this year’s winter weather attack. When snow accompanied by winds begins accumulating three inches or more, the Snow Removal Task Force will go into action.
The city intends to marshal every piece of equipment in its fleet capable of pushing a snow blade. Assisting the Street Department will be blades from: Anderson Light and Power, Parks Department, Water Pollution Control, Sewer Department, Water Department, City of Anderson Transit, Animal Control, City Hall Maintenance, Police Department Maintenance and the Traffic Department. Based upon a minimum of 15 4 x 4 trucks, the goal of the task force will be to plow 200 miles of streets in a five-hour period.
Following last February’s snow storm, four-wheel vehicles from the Municipal Development Department escorted police officers on calls. After six inches of snow fell within a short period, plows worked throughout the storm to assure that streets and neighborhoods were kept open and passable.
Priority areas for the Snow Removal Task Force will be to main thoroughfares, routes to schools and hospitals, and downtown. The mantra of the Task Force will be:
- Plow streets as quickly as possible
- Utilize all city equipment for snow removal
- Reach out to as many streets as possible
When it comes to ice and freezing rain, Street Commissioner Nick Vores said the Street Department will work largely alone since few city departments are equipped with salt spreaders. “All equipment is ready to go,” said Vores. “We have 700 Tons of salt on hand and our supplier can deliver to our location within 24 hours.”
Getting residents to work and keeping Anderson commerce going is a priority of the Street Department. Downtown Anderson, the Parks Department and Police Department have divided Meridian Street sidewalks for clearing. The downtown parking garage and sidewalks on the bridges leading to the downtown will also have priority.
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