WINTER IS HERE!!.

Here is some information about our roads...

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 Residents are reminded that a winter parking ban is in effect from November 1  until April 1.

• On street parking is prohibited overnight or when snow operations are in effect.
• Vehicles that are illegally parked will be ticketed and towed at the owner's expense if they interfere with snow removal operations.

FIRE HYDRANTS:

 
If you have a fire hydrant in front of or near your property, please clear the snow away from the area so that in an emergency the hydrant will be accessible.

DRIVEWAYS:

While plow drivers try to minimize the amount of snow that gets plowed into driveways, clearing driveway openings is the responsibility of the property owner. Plows cannot be lifted as they pass by driveways.

Residents should realize that snow may be plowed into driveways several times during snow plowing

operations. Residents may wish to clear driveways several times during the storm or wait until plowing activities have concluded. Shoveling snow into the street is prohibited by the Town by-laws.

SIDEWALKS:

Snow and ice makes walking difficult for school children, mail carriers and elders. Many of the sidewalks are prioritized by the Dept. of Public works to plow and clear out. However, due to insufficient number of resources and equipment the department cannot get to all the sidewalks in Town to clear openings at corners and crosswalks so pedestrians can cross safely. Property owners or tenants are requested to remove snow and ice from abutting sidewalks within 24 hours from the end of the snowfall.

RIGHT OF WAY.

Homeowners should be aware that in most instances they do not own the land up to the edge of the road pavement or sidewalk. The Town generally owns approximately 5 feet or more from the edge of the pavement. There may be underground utilities within these areas and homeowners should be careful as to what they place in these areas.

• Mailboxes, trees, shrubbery, fences, lawn sprinkler systems or gardens within the right of way may be damaged during snow removal operations.
• The Town will not be responsible for damage to such items within the right of way.

TRASH AND RECYCLING BARRELS :

When it snows, please place your barrels and bags at the end of your driveway, facing the street, and not in the street!

BASKETBALL NETS: CHILDREN:

Please remove basketball nets from the roadway. The Town will not be held responsible for basketball/ soccer / hockey nets left in the street. Children love to make snow forts along the edge of the roads, but this is potentially very dangerous because our plow operators cannot see the children. Visibility is difficult even in the best conditi ons, so we ask that you please keep your children away from the roads during snow removal

WINTER WATER TIPS:

• The Department of Water I Sewer recommends that during the upcoming cold snap homeowners remember the words locate, insulate, and circulate.
• Locate a home's main water shut off valve, and learn how to use it. Should a frozen pipe burst, shutting the main valve quickly will minimize flooding and property damage.
• Insulate pipes in unheated areas like basements, garages and crawl spaces. Use inexpensive hardware store materials to prevent pipes from freezing and to keep warm water flowing.
• Circulate warm air around pipes by keeping cabinet doors open. If you think it's too cold in the meter area and it is unable to heat near the area, try water pipe heat tape or a heat cable. If none of these solutions work for you, then circulate a trickle of tap water at a slow draw during extreme cold to move water and prevent freezing.
• Locate your water meter, protect it from drafts, and make sure basement doors and windows are shut tight.
• If pipes do freeze, slow thaw with a hair dryer. If water is lost in all taps, call us between 8 AM to 4 PM, during non-office hours call the Ashland Police department at 508-881-1212.

Increasing Home Energy Efficiency

• Disconnect water hose from the home.
• Wrap or cover exposed spigots.
• Caulk or putty windows.
• Ensure kitchen and bathroom dampers close properly.
• Close all storm windows and doors.
• Apply weather stripping.
• Properly insulate all pipes that are exposed.
• Cover vents.
• Install insulated or heavy drapes to keep cold drafts from coming in.
• Don't forget to close the damper to wood burning fireplace after each use. Consider a chimney balloon if you don't have a damper.

ARE YOU WINTERIZING YOUR IRRIGATION SYSTEM? REMEMBER:

Irrigation Systems:

All irrigation systems must be equipped with programmable timers and precipitation monitoring devices (for e.g. a rain gauge) and a back flow device. All Irrigation systems will have a separate irrigation meter. Visit our website at: http://www.ashlandmass.co m/469/lrrigation-Systems for details or email at dpw@ashlandmass.com / call 508-532-7940 to obtain information on compliance.

-Please note that all irrigation systems will need to be tested annually. Your irrigation company will need to fill out the Rain Sensor Certification form and your backflow device tester will need to fill out the Backflow Device Certification form once every Calendar year. Both filled out forms shall be submitted to DPW either digitally (dpw@ashlandmass.com) orby mail (Dept. of Public Works - 20 Ponderosa Rd, Ashland MA-01721).