By Gail Peckler-Dziki/Correspondent
The Salem Town Board discussed additions to the town culvert ordinance at the April 21 committee meeting. Salem public works supervisor Mike Murdock brought it forward.
Keeping your culverts clear is not only the homeowner’s responsibility; it is a good neighbor policy, according to Murdock. Clarification to the current Salem town ordinance for culverts is part of that.
“We get about 15 calls a year from folks who tell us that their culvert is backed up,” Murdock explained, “and its usually because the neighbor next door has a clogged culver
The culvert under a driveway is the homeowner’s responsibility, Murdock said. “If there was no driveway, there would be an open ditch,” he said. “When the driveway goes in, a culvert is needed. Its part of the cost of the driveway.”
When leaves are raked into the culvert and burned or just left, those leaves can end up in the culvert. Those leaves can stop the flow of water, allowing the culvert to fill. When the freeze sets in, the leaves and ice create a blockage. Sometimes that blockage remains in the spring and stops the flow of ice melt and rainwater. Then the water backs up into yards, covers driveways and causes other issues.
Prevention is the best medicine, according to Murdock. “Rake the leaves and remove them; remove debris from your yard,” is his advice.
If you discover a blockage in your culvert, removal can be as easy as turning on the garden hose. If that fails, a power washer can help. If you don’t have a power washer then there are loads of different types that you could get and they all have different uses (and aren’t just for helping with a blockage). If you are interested in getting a pressure washer for your home, then it would be a good idea to check out this article here about how to choose a pressure washer for home use.
If you do decide to use your power washer to help you with your blockage, sometimes despite best efforts, larger items might be lodged and the experts called in.
“We can clear the culvert,” Murdock explained, “But the homeowner must bear the expense.”
Placing, replacing and cleaning the culvert are the homeowner’s responsibility. If the culvert fails, the homeowner has to pay to have it replaced. There are times, however, that the homeowner might not have to pay.
“When the town does a larger improvement project and replacing the culvert is part of it,” Murdock said, “then the cost of the culvert is part of the project.”
Parking on town roads discussed
The Town of Salem has an ordinance that prohibits parking on any town road. Some of the older subdivisions have very narrow roads. When vehicles are parked on those roads, it prevents the egress of service vehicles like the mail truck or more seriously, emergency vehicles.
To add to the confusion, parking on County roads in the town is not prohibited. County roads are those with the alphabet designation like Highway B and C.
Staff will look into the possibility of allowing parking on one side of town roads. It was mentioned that allowing that type of parking could be confusing and purchasing and placing signs is a costly proposition.
Murdock said that the county is very good about working with people who have planned events.
“If you call up the sheriff department to let them know you are having a party,” Murdock said, “They don’t ticket anyone.”