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Egg Harbor Township credits public works and volunteers for storm response; crews continue road and pothole repairs
Summary
Officials and staff reported that crews ran 12-hour rotations clearing roughly 17 inches of snow and handling downed trees and power lines; the committee praised public works, volunteer firefighters and dispatchers while noting ongoing pothole and equipment needs.
Township officials credited public works crews, volunteer firefighters and dispatchers for an extensive emergency response after a late winter storm that produced about 17 inches of snow and near-whiteout conditions.
A memo read at the committee meeting cited Public Works Director Al Simerson’s figures: crews ran roughly 20 plow units in 12-hour rotating shifts for nearly four days, cleared primary roadways first and opened a warming center for residents without power. "Our operational goal during the storm of this magnitude is to have all roads passable within 36 hours after snowfall," the memo said; the officials reported the operation took about 42 hours to restore passable roadways citywide.
Speakers described the scale of the effort and the constraints crews faced: downed trees and power lines that required coordination with utility crews, parked vehicles that slow plowing in developments, and equipment wear that requires parts replacement. Officials explained that salt use was limited in this event because warming temperatures reduced its effectiveness, and they said the township saved salt by prioritizing priority lots and school sites.
Committee members pressed for clarity on how residents should report potholes and roadway concerns; engineering said the township’s pothole crew has been active daily and used several tons of asphalt on specific streets (the memo cited four tons used on Yubel Avenue during the week). Officials urged residents to call public works or use the township’s online reporting tools; dispatch should be used only for after-hours nonemergency concerns.
The committee also discussed the 2025 road program (reported at roughly 90% complete) and upcoming punch-list paving on Mitchell Avenue, Ugo Avenue and portions of West Jersey Avenue. Staff warned of short-term traffic slowdowns during final paving and asked residents for patience.
Township leaders thanked first responders and public works staff publicly and said they will recognize volunteers at an upcoming ceremony.
