Our streets are maintained by the town. Crews are dispatched immediately to clear snow (when there is 2 or more inches of snow) and whenever ice or slippery conditions develop (as determined by town maintenance).
Please do not shovel, plow or blow snow into the street as this makes it more difficult for the street department to clear our streets and for individuals to try to navigate our streets. It also creates potential ice hazards as it compacts. You may want to wait to clear to the end of your driveway and mailbox until after the snowplow has cleared the street from curb to curb. The plow will typically come by several times and this will save you time and energy from having to repeat the process. Pile snow into yards. Do not shovel snow into streets. Indiana Statue prohibits putting an obstruction in a highway. Piling snow where it impairs traffic safety could be considered an “obstruction”, a Class C infraction. For more information, see this document.
Snow removal and ice control on residential sidewalks is the responsibility of the property owners residing or controlling the properties adjacent to these sidewalks. Residents are to remove snow and ice from sidewalks within 24 hours.
We recommend a non-salt type de-icer, like calcium magnesium acetate or CMA. It is marketed under names such Ice Melt, Snow Joe or Quad Melt. Another option is an eco-friendly/pet friendly/child friendly de-icer is sold under the trade names of SafePaw and Happy Paws. Although cheap and easy to use, rock salt is concentrated and very corrosive. It affects plants, pets, water and even paint.
For dogs, in particular, exposure to salt-based ice melters can mean an unhealthy winter and unplanned trips to the veterinarian. The salts get frozen into the dogs paws and fur. When they are inside with higher temperatures, these salts can burn the skin causing ulcers and redness to tissue which can lead to bacterial infections. Dogs can also develop intestinal problems and inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) from licking the salt-based products off their paws.
Children come into contact with salt-based pellets while playing in the snow. These products can irritate eyes and accidentally ingesting them can cause stomach problems and kidney damage. Direct contact with the skin can lead to dermatitis, rashes, and blistering.
Salt residue left over from these products causes permanent damage to pavers, asphalt, concrete, wood decks, floors, and rugs. It later seeps into groundwater supplies or washes into lakes and streams and harms aquatic wildlife. Salt-based ice melters also erode soil, kill plants, burn grasses, and poison birds.