Winter Weather Information
The Department of Transportation reports that more than 60,000 combinations of winter storms can hit Wisconsin during the winter. Each poses unique problems for snow plow operations.
The onset of winter in Wisconsin brings forth concerns and questions about Menasha's snow removal policies. The three (3) main issues we deal with are the following:
Snow and Ice Removal from Sidewalks
In the City of Menasha , sidewalks must be cleared of snow and ice to a minimum of four (4) feet in width within 24 hours from the time the snow or ice event ends. If ice is formed on any sidewalk in such a manner that it cannot be removed, the sidewalk shall be sprinkled with sand and/or salt to permit safe travel by pedestrians. A written notice will be issued to those property owners who fail to comply with these regulations. If the Department of Public Works receives a complaint, a notice to clear the ice and/or snow is sent to the property owner and the property address. After a day for mailing purposes the City of Menasha will clear the ice and/or snow and invoice the property owner for all costs involved. People residing on a corner lot are asked to clear a path through the crosswalk until the Department of Public Works can schedule removal from the entire radius. Please remember that it is costly, hazardous and illegal to direct snow onto city streets when clearing snow from your walks and driveways.
On Street Parking During Plowing Operations
A growing problem for city plow operators during recent winter seasons has been the increased amount of parked vehicles encountered during plowing operations. Plows that have to go around parked vehicles leave windrows of snow, which can become hazards for the public and result in additional costs for the extra time required to return and clean them up. On street parking between the hours of 2:00am and 6:00am is not allowed from November 1 through March 31. Please abide by this ordinance and further assist us by not parking in the street at any time of the day while plowing operations are ongoing.
City Snow Removal Operations
Menasha has different response levels to winter weather events, depending on the severity of the situation:
All operations and techniques utilized are dependent on weather conditions. Basic techniques are:
CODE YELLOW (0” – 1” snow) – Salt trucks are dispatched to maintain the snow emergency routes. Clear salt is used on the main routes as conditions allow while either clear salt or a mixture of salt and stone chips are used on the other streets. The material used is determined by ambient temperatures, storm conditions, and a compilation of other factors.
CODE BLUE (1” – 3” snow) – Emergency snow routes and all city parking lots are plowed while secondary routes are salted, unless conditions warrant plowing.
CODE RED (over 3” snow) – All city streets are plowed.
Menasha's main snow emergency route streets are located so that all residents will have to travel no more than three (3) blocks, and in most cases, no more than two (2) blocks to reach a snow route. We feel this is an effective response to the various levels of weather experienced here in Wisconsin.
Click to view Code Blue routes which are used in a snow emergency for priority plowing, anti-icing and de-icing.
