Local Townhouse Owners Suffering Snow Fatigue

Townhouse owners in the Terrace at Lehigh development are struggling with snow removal issues just as much -- or more -- than most Upper Macungie Township residents.

Yet, township officials largely can't help clear piles of snow that clog curbs and narrow roads throughout the 113-unit development.

That's because the development and its roadways, nestled off Cetronia Road, just two blocks from Jaindl Elementary School, haven't been dedicated to the township.

Snow removal efforts from a township-provided contractor have been less than stellar, said Dave Flannery, who represented the homeowner's group at Thursday night's Upper Macungie Township supervisor's meeting.

The development was first occupied by residents in January, 2007. Flannery said that during recent storms, snow has not been plowed all the way to the curb and no pre- or post-storm salting was performed on the development's roads.

"Sixty percent of the road is a sheen of ice, compacted two inches high," Flannery said. "Forty-one of the homes have no sidewalks. We have 50 or 60 school kids relegated to walking in the middle of the road to get to buses. It's a dangerous situation."

Part of the problem is that manhole covers in the development haven't been binded level to the road. That causes the contracted plow drivers to keep plows higher than normal to avoid damage.

But, as a result, the leftover snow on the street has compacted into ice, Flannery said.

Flannery added homeowners would like to see plowing as close to the curb as possible to avoid narrowing of streets and adequate salting.

"We comiserate with you. What the township should do is make sure the roads are adequately salted, because there are no sidewalks," said supervisor chaiman Edward Earley.

Supervisor Sam Ashmar noted that the township wants to help but assistance is limited as the roads aren't dedicated to the township.

"This (winter) has been challenging to us and we have our problems there as well," Ashmar said. "We can't go in there and lower the plows because of the manhole covers and risk our equipment."

Flannery said homeowners aren't looking for the township to solve all the snow removal problems, but to help alleviate the traffic and pedestrian hazards.

In a related issue, resident Phil DelVecchio asked supervisors why there was no easy way to find out if trash collection is delayed during snowstorms.

DelVecchio said residents who weren't sure if trash would be collected found their refuse cans plowed under mounds of snow and ice following this week's storm.

Supervisors said they would contact Raritan Valley Disposal to inquire about ways to inform residents of delayed trash pickup.

Supervisors also asked residents to set trash cans near driveways off snow-narrowed township roads and to dig out fire hydrants if possible.

In other business, supervisors approved a recommendation from the Zoning Hearing Board to name Robert R. Rabe as its fifth member to fill that body's vacancy.

Rabe, a teacher in the Parkland School District, served on the North Whitehall Township Zoning Board as a member and its president. Supervisors also approved Todd Greenawalt and Nancy Muick as alternate Zoning Hearing Board members.