Roadmaster
Assistant Roadmaster: Robert Deisemann
The Roadcrew is responsible for maintenance of Township roads and all road maintenance equipment. The roadcrew also trims trees, mows road shoulders, cleans culverts, replaces drainage piping, maintains street signage, and plows snow. There are 52.84 miles of road in Upper Tulpehocken Township. Of that amount the Township owns approximately 36.26 miles, the remainder being State Roads. Upper Tulpehocken Township is located within PennDOT District 5-0.
Upper Tulpehocken Township allows property owners to place mailboxes within the Township’s legal right-of-way, out of respect for the U.S. Postal Service’s need to deliver, and mail customers’ convenience of home delivery. However, mailbox damage from thrown snow is the responsibility of the property owner.
The Township’s mission throughout the winter months is to maintain safe and passable roads. Often, keeping roads open means plowing deep snow to the edge of the right-of- way. Since most mailboxes are placed within the Township’s legal right-of-way, it is up to the homeowner to make sure their mailbox can withstand the weight of snow being thrown from a plow.
Snow plow operators are instructed to maintain lower speeds when plowing areas where mailboxes are present, however, there are times when higher speeds must be maintained to contend with heavy, wet snow.
Upper Tulpehocken Township offers these tips to help eliminate the possibility of a mailbox being damaged during the winter months:
If the mailbox is located within the legal right-of-way and damage was experienced in the past, homeowners may want to consider relocating the mailbox before the next snowfall. It is never acceptable to plow snow from your property onto a township or state road. This practice not only costs tax dollars for extra snow removal efforts, it is also extremely dangerous.
The Township’s mission throughout the winter months is to maintain safe and passable roads. Often, keeping roads open means plowing deep snow to the edge of the right-of- way. Since most mailboxes are placed within the Township’s legal right-of-way, it is up to the homeowner to make sure their mailbox can withstand the weight of snow being thrown from a plow.
Snow plow operators are instructed to maintain lower speeds when plowing areas where mailboxes are present, however, there are times when higher speeds must be maintained to contend with heavy, wet snow.
Upper Tulpehocken Township offers these tips to help eliminate the possibility of a mailbox being damaged during the winter months:
- Make sure the mailbox is firmly supported in the ground.
- Make sure the mailbox is firmly secured to its post.
- Remove snow from around the mailbox, but avoid throwing it back onto the road.
- Place a large piece of reflective tape on the mailbox to help snow plow operators see it at night.
- Place the mailbox as far beyond the shoulder of the road as the postal carrier can reach.
- Consider installing a cantilever mailbox support that will “swing” a mailbox out of harm's way.
If the mailbox is located within the legal right-of-way and damage was experienced in the past, homeowners may want to consider relocating the mailbox before the next snowfall. It is never acceptable to plow snow from your property onto a township or state road. This practice not only costs tax dollars for extra snow removal efforts, it is also extremely dangerous.
It is also never acceptable to blow grass or leaves from your property onto a township or state road. This is considered littering and punishable by fines. This practice is extremely dangerous for motorcycles, and causes extra work for the roadcrew to clean up, wasting valuable tax dollars.