East Fishkill, NY Highway Department Reminds Residents What Happens After It Snows

The Hudson Valley is digging out from the first big snowstorm of 2024 and one town is reminding residents what happens when the plows come to town.

First Snowstorm Touches Down in the Hudson Valley for 2024

Snow started to fall on Saturday night January 6th, 2024, and continued to fall throughout the night and well into the next day. That snow resulted in over a foot of snow for most Hudson Valley towns.

Reports from Orange and Ulster are saying that close to 14 inches of snow fell in their communities.

It's been quite a long time since the region has been hit with snow accumulation like this and one Hudson Valley town is reminding its residents what happens after the snow falls.

East Fishkill Highway Department Releases Snow Plow Statement

Independent plowers and Highway Departments alike were extremely busy Saturday into Sunday clearing the roads. For one Hudson Valley town, the plowing came with a few complaints.

The East Fishkill Highway Department took to Facebook to release a memo about how plowing works during snowstorms. In the memo, the highway department explains that throughout the storm, they were receiving phone calls "regarding snow in front of mailboxes and driveways."

The memo goes on to say:

We would like to begin by stating, that we do not ever intentionally plow in a driveway or mailbox. However, the Highway Department cannot and does not remove snow from driveways and mailboxes.

 

Snow Removal in East Fishkill, NY

They explain that every property in East Fishkill has a "right-of-way" that allows the Town to "conduct work within that right of way." This right-of-way area is designated for snow removal.

The East Fishkill Highway Department is in charge of removing snow from the roadways to make traveling safe, they plow over 200 lane miles of road when snow hits. With that, they add:

"We simply cannot ensure that every driveway and mailbox is clear. This is the responsibility of the property owner.

In the memo, the East Fishkill Highway Department shares that they never intentionally plow into a driveway or mailbox and they also do not "give one resident more snow than his/her neighbor" as they confirm "We simply do not operate in that fashion."

Plan Ahead of the Next Hudson Valley Storm

By the looks of it we're in for a long, cold winter. For the next winter storm the East Fishkill Highway Department suggests residents plan ahead. They understand that snow at the end of the driveway or mailbox is a difficult task for some so they suggest making arrangements with a private plow company or reaching out to a neighbor for help.

The Hudson Valley is gearing up for another storm this week, but as of Monday January 8th, 2024 it's just rain.