Winter is upon us and now is the time to prepare for potential snowfall and winter weather. Here are a few tips and reminders to make sure you're ready and well-equipped to safely weather any wintery conditions in the months ahead!
1. Sign up for emergency email and/or SMS text message alerts from the Town.
Used year-round to communicate emergency alerts to residents and businesses, sign up for Notify Me alerts and stay up-to-date on potential weather-related Town office closures, service disruptions or delays, and safety advisories. Town office closures will also be reported to all local television stations and posted to Facebook, Instagram, and Comcast Channel 17.
2. Consult Ashland's snow emergency routes for parking restrictions.
When the forecast calls for significant snowfall or winter weather, parking restrictions go into effect along snow emergency routes until further notice. Consult the snow emergency route map and be prepared to move your vehicles if necessary ahead of winter weather.
3. Use environmentally friendly ice melt products that are safe for local streams and the Chesapeake Bay.
Instead of using hard de-icing products in the event of freezing precipitation and snow, choose all-natural ingredients over rock salt. A few recommended products include Green Earth Ice Melter, Happy Paws Ice Melt, NAAC, and SubZero 20 Ice Melt. Consult your local hardware store with questions.
4. Shovel your sidewalks and footways.
Per Town Code, residents and businesses are responsible for shoveling and clearing all sidewalks in front of their property that borders any street, whether paved or not. Watch this Plowing Tips video to learn how to shovel your driveway in a manner that prevents the plow from blocking your driveway with plowed snow.
5. Check on your neighbors.
Being part of a community means helping when you can and asking for help when needed. When winter weather strikes, check on elderly and homebound neighbors, offer to shovel someone else's sidewalk, and in the event of an emergency, as always, please call 911.
Questions about snow removal and winter weather procedures in the Town of Ashland? Call Town Hall at (804) 798-9219 during normal business hours.