NOTICE OF WINTER ROAD POLICY
NOTICE TO TOWN RESIDENTS
Winter Road Maintenance Policy
Introduction – The Town of Chilton roads are subject to freezing rain, ice, snow, and drifting snow at any time from November through April. The Town Board strives to maintain adequate traction for vehicles properly equipped for winter driving conditions. This does not mean bare, dry pavement should be expected after each snowstorm or ice storm. Furthermore, this does not mean the roads will be free of ice and snow.
Snow and ice control – The Town is responsible for approximately 45 miles of roads. By state statutes 81.15 the Town has three weeks to remove natural snow and ice accumulations. The Town’s goal is to maintain the roads in as good winter driving conditions as weather, equipment, and budgets allow.
Planning and preparing for snow and ice operations are difficult due to the uniqueness of each storm. No two storms are ever identical. Factors such as rate of snowfall, moisture content, accumulation, temperatures, time of day, and wind velocity determine the uniqueness of each storm.
During snow and ice storms, Town road crews will respond to emergency conditions to the extent practical. The Town will not respond to unverified emergency requests direct from the public. The request must come from the appropriate emergency agency [i.e., fire, police, etc.] The Town will not take any responsibility for removal of snow that is plowed into private driveways during road clearing operations.
Ice removal – The Town uses rock salt and/or sand salt. Salt is normally used to promote thawing on the hills, curves, and intersections. There are no state or federal laws that require the Town to apply salt and/or sand salt. Salt and/or sand salt will be applied as much as needed to assure safety for all drivers.
Snow removal – Planning for a snow removal operation begins when snow is expected to accumulate. The Town Chair or his/her designee, along with County Highway Department, has the authority to suspend snow and ice control operations in severe conditions when there is danger to operators. No guarantee is made or implied as to the length of snow and ice removal operations. The main objective of snow removal operations is to plow the blacktop surfaces to shoulders, wing and possibly bench after roads are opened, and try to clear the center to bare surface if possible.
Mailboxes – Operators are instructed to be very cautious near mailboxes. In most cases, a properly installed mailbox will permit a snowplow and wing on a patrol truck to pass safely without crossing the center of the road. The replacement of mailboxes by the Town shall be limited to $60.00 and only if it is physically struck by a Town snowplow and the face of mailbox is 36″ away from edge of roadway. If the owner wishes to install a decorative mailbox and/or post that meets standards, it shall be at the owner’s expense. Snow removal around mailboxes is the owner’s responsibility.
This Winter Road Maintenance Policy shall be deemed to be in force after its approval by the Town Board.
ADOPTED 11/10/2025
