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Egg Harbor Township public works outlines snow response, salt costs and leaf pickup schedule
Summary
Public Works presented its snow-removal procedures, said the January storm used about 500 tons of salt-sand mix at ~$120/ton, described plow priorities (primary roads, intersections, emergency facilities), and gave a leaf-collection update (662 loads collected; second round underway).
Egg Harbor Township’s Department of Public Works briefed the committee and members of the public on snow-removal procedures, equipment and related costs and provided an update on the township leaf-collection program.
Assistant Director of Public Works Oliver Ledbetter described the township’s multi-department snow response and said staff begin preparation days ahead of storms to ensure vehicles and equipment are serviceable. Ledbetter said the department “focus[es] on vehicle maintenance and preparation” and verifies materials such as salt and sand before a storm.
Ledbetter and Road Supervisor Anthony (Tony) Yang provided specifics from the January storm the department characterized as 4 to 6 inches with subsequent freezing: the township used about 500 tons of a salt-and-sand mixture for that storm, and the material cost was approximately $120 per ton. Ledbetter said the town treats primary roadways and intersections first and that “we're not able to get into…the developments” with salt but that crews will plow those streets. He also noted the township has over 300 miles of roads to maintain.
Yang said the department deployed about 15 trucks plus seven other pieces of equipment at the height of a six-inch storm and that the township used roughly an additional 50 tons of salt in subsequent salting events. Ledbetter said the department aims to keep the salt barn supplied and expects additional deliveries to replenish stock.
Public Works asked residents to move vehicles off the roads during storms when possible so crews can plow curb to curb, and to shovel driveway snow to the right so plow returns minimize re-deposits. Department staff described how parked cars and packed-down traffic can cause rutted or packed snow that is harder to remove.
Ledbetter discussed steps the department is taking to improve public information during storms, including maps that show primary and secondary roads and a planned mobile reporting portal to allow residents to report potholes and other public-works issues. The department said a new reporting app will permit residents to submit requests and receive progress updates; staff said the portal should go live in the coming months.
On leaves, Ledbetter reported the department had collected 662 loads of leaves (30 cubic yards per load) in its first round and had begun the second round in Zone 2; the department said it aimed to complete remaining zones by early February, depending on weather and equipment availability.
Department leaders also outlined equipment maintenance challenges and the toll of salt on fleet vehicles, noting that repeated snow operations shorten vehicle life and increase maintenance work. The department requested patience from residents while it balances snow and leaf operations; Ledbetter said converting vehicles between snow and leaf configurations requires time and labor.
Officials encouraged residents to watch township channels for guidance and said they are exploring real-time plow-tracking technology, though they cautioned that costs for such systems can be significant for a municipality with hundreds of miles of roadway.
