Mayor Platt: Crews continue snow-removal work, prepare for next storm

Once again this winter season, Cherry Hill and surrounding communities face the daunting task of digging out from a record storm that brought more than 27 inches of snow to our region.

While there is still plenty of work to be done, the diligent snow-removal efforts performed by our Department of Public Works through the weekend have allowed us to start the work week relatively unscathed.

From the storm’s onset Friday evening, 43 Township’s snow plows and salt spreaders have been deployed throughout town, and more than 60 of our DPW employees have been on hand, working around-the-clock in an effort to keep more than 226 miles of municipal roadways safe and passable, allowing our lives to continue nearly uninterrupted.

That said, it has already been a long winter, and it appears our work is far from over. Another powerful storm is forecast to move through our area in the middle of this week, and we again expect that accumulation could be significant.

While a mid-week storm presents its own unique set of challenges, residents can rest assured that we will keep in place the same protocols that have successfully guided us through the past two winter storms. Our DPW crews will continue working around-the-clock to keep roads cleared and safe, and get Cherry Hill’s neighborhoods and businesses operating normally as quickly as possible.

We received well over two feet of snow with this latest storm system – bringing us within inches of setting a record for snowfall in a single season. That almost unprecedented amount of snowfall has required an equally astounding level of patience and cooperation from the 75,000 people living in Cherry Hill, and I thank all of you for doing your part to ease this process.

Please remember that Township ordinance requires residents and businesses to clear their sidewalks, driveways and parking areas within 48 hours after the snow ends. With more snow in the forecast, it is even more critical that we work quickly to clear what has already fallen. Additionally, please continue to limit on-street parking to allow salt/sand trucks and plows to operate effectively, and please avoid shoveling or blowing snow from your sidewalk into the street.

As we prepare this next round of precipitation, please continue to monitor the Township Web page, www.CherryHill-NJ.com, as well as our Facebook and Twitter feeds, for our snow-removal guidelines, and the most up-to-date storm information. Additionally, administrative staff is always available to answer calls to Public Works, (856) 424-4422.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact my office at any time, by calling (856) 488-7878, or e-mailing Mayor Platt@chtownship.com.