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Public Works

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1. How does the fully Automated Recycling Collection work?

A 95 gallon recycling containers will be provided by the Township and will be distributed to each property currently receiving recycling collection by the Township’s Public Works Department. These new containers will be the only acceptable container to place your recycling materials in for collection and are not to be used for yard waste collection or the disposal of any other items.  All recycling materials must be placed in the new container: boxes or other containers may no longer be used to dispose of recycling materials.  Boxes must be broken down and placed in the new containers.  The containers should be placed at the curb and away from parked cars with the arrows facing the street.

PLEASE NOTE:  ALL RECYCLING MATERIALS (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF YARD WASTE) MUST BE PLACED IN THE RECYCLING CONTAINER PROVIDED BY THE TOWNSHIP.  YOU CAN NO LONGER SET OUT CARDBOARD BOXES OR OTHER CONTAINERS SEPARATELY.

The new recycling containers have been purchased with a $350,000 grant obtained by the Township from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources. Automated recycling will allow for both a more efficient collection process and one that is safer for the Township’s workforce.

Glass, Can, Plastic and Paper Recycling:  Unbroken glass bottles, clean aluminum and tin cans and #’s 1 thru 7 plastics, newspapers, computer paper, brown bags, magazines, junk mail, office paper, phone books, paperboard cartons or boxes (not wax lined), including those from beverages, six packs and those used to hold pizza or other fast food items may be mixed together and placed curbside in the recycling containers that are provided by the Township. NO OTHER CONTAINERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.  No trash, cigarettes, or food/drink residue should be in bottles.  No plate glass, light bulbs, mirrors, or broken glass is included in recycling (put in regular trash).  Cans which contained paint, fuel, aerosol spray, oil or other hazardous materials cannot be collected.  EXCLUDED:  Styrofoam (includes egg cartons, clamshell containers, plates, cups and meat trays, packing peanuts), plastic films or bags, PVC pipes, CD/DVDs, coffee cup lids, straws, plastic cutlery, plastic 6-pack rings, waxed paper, waxed cardboard, coat hangers.

The Township hopes the transition to automated recycling will be a smooth one and the staff will work with residents to address any questions or concerns you may have during the changeover. Please direct your questions to the Public Works Department at publicworks@uppermoreland.org or 215-659-4070

 

2. What should I do if a snow emergency is declared?

If a snow emergency has been declared, it will be posted on
the Township Website: www.uppermoreland.org as well as on Comcast Channel 965
and Verizon Channel 41.  If a snow
emergency is declared, all vehicles must be removed from snow emergency routes
until the emergency is lifted. Street signs are posted on those roads
designated as snow emergency routes. 
When a snow emergency is declared, it is done with your safety in
mind.  To make sure emergency vehicles
can reach people in need, snow emergency routes must be cleared of parked cars,
and vehicles on the roadways need snow tires or chains.  To prevent the need for people to walk in the
street, sidewalks must be shoveled quickly.

3. When will my street be salted/plowed?

The Township’s Public Works Department is responsible for
plowing and salting the roads in Upper Moreland Township.  Salting begins on primary highways as soon as
snow or freezing rain starts to fall. 

Plowing begins after
3-4 inches of snow accumulation.  After
primary routes are clear, plows/salt trucks proceed to dedicated secondary
routes.

4. Where can I find a list of the Snow Emergency Routes?

A complete list of the Snow Emergency Routes can be found by clicking here

5. Who is responsible for removing snow from sidewalks on Commercial Property?

Under Township Ordinance No. 1569, §290-1, Paragraphs A
& B, The owner or tenant of any tract of land upon which is erected an
industrial, commercial or business structure or building which tract of land
abuts or borders upon the sidewalk of any public street, avenue or highway in
the Township of Upper Moreland shall remove the snow and ice from such sidewalk
or sidewalks bordering said land by clearing a path of minimum width of four
feet no later than the end of the first full business day after the day during
which the snow, sleet or freezing rain has ceased to fall. Where ice or snow is
frozen on the sidewalk or ice forms on the sidewalk from melting snow or any
other source, it shall be removed or covered with sand or salt. For the purpose
of this section, a business day shall be the hours from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Monday through Saturday, except holidays. In the removal of snow and ice
mandated by this section, the owner or tenant shall not place or permit same to
be placed in or upon any adjoining property or private street without
permission or any abutting public street, avenue or highway. The property owner
or tenant shall be presumed to be responsible for any snow or ice found in the
roadway abutting his property

6. Can I throw the snow into the street when I shovel out my car or my sidewalk/driveway area?

No. Upper Moreland Township Ordinance No. 1569, §290-3
states that no person shall plow, dump or deposit any snow or ice being removed
from any driveway or parking area onto any public street or highway or any
public sidewalk. The property owner or occupier of the property from which such
snow or ice is removed and which is plowed, dumped or deposited onto any public
street or highway or any public sidewalk shall be presumed to be responsible
for any snow and ice found to have been plowed, dumped or deposited onto any
public street or highway or any public sidewalk.

7. Who removes the snow from Residential Sidewalks?

Under Township Ordinance 1569, §290-2, Paragraphs A & B,
The owner or tenant of residentially improved land or of vacant land abutting
or bordering upon the sidewalk of any public street, avenue or highway in the
Township of Upper Moreland shall remove all snow and ice from such sidewalk or
sidewalks bordering said land within 48 hours after the snow, sleet or freezing
rain shall cease to fall. Where ice or snow is frozen on the sidewalk or ice
forms on the sidewalk from melting snow or any other source, it shall be
removed or covered with sand or salt. In the removal of snow and ice mandated
by this section, the owner or tenant shall not place or permit same to be
placed in or upon any adjoining property or private street without permission
or any abutting public street, avenue or highway. The property owner or tenant
shall be presumed to be responsible for any snow or ice found in the roadway
abutting his property.

8. Who is responsible for the clearing of handicapped ramps?

The abutting property owner is responsible to clean the
handicapped ramp to make safe passage to the roadway pavement.

9. Why do plows always push snow into my driveway?

For a resident this can be quite annoying, but unfortunately
it cannot be helped.  The snow must, at
minimum, be removed from the traveled portion of the road but our plow drivers
are requested to plow curb to curb where possible.  When the Township receives a heavy snowfall,
if possible, do not shovel your driveway until after the plow has gone by.  If you must shovel do not throw the snow out
into the roadway as it is against Township Code.  In addition you may create a hazard for
another vehicle, and if an accident were to occur you might be held liable.

10. I have a medical condition. Can you plow my street in case there is an emergency and an ambulance needs to get through?

The POTENTIAL for a medical emergency does not warrant
priority treatment.  Anyone needing an
ambulance in a medical emergency should contact 911 where all necessary steps
will be coordinated.

11. Why don’t you clean my driveway?

The Township does not clean driveways for two (2) reasons:

1.           There are thousands
of driveways in the Township.  The task
to complete and the cost to clean     all the
driveways each snow event would be                                        insurmountable.

2.           The
liability to the Township for damage to the driveway approaches is cost
prohibitive.

12. Why does the plow not remove all the snow from my road?

The plows are designed to ride on “guides” (shoes) that
raise the blade approximately 3/8 inch from the surface of the roadway.  This is done to prevent damage to both the vehicle
and infrastructure from raised manholes, catch basins or water valves.  When plowing, our goal is to make residential
streets passable; not to clear them to the bare pavement.  Once the street has been plowed and salted,
the interaction of the salt and vehicular traffic is required to melt the
remaining snow cover.  Streets with low
traffic volumes will therefore remain snow covered longer.

13. I only have on-street parking. Why do you always plow snow against my car?

The Township must remove the snow from the traveled portion
of the road.  On two-way streets where
there is only parking on one side, the plow operator cannot push the snow away
from the parked cars into on-coming traffic. When heavy snowfalls are
predicted, residents are asked where possible not to park on the roads.  This is done to reduce the chance of plowing
in parked vehicles, eliminating the chance of damaging vehicles and allowing
for a more efficient plowing operation. If your street permits parking on one
side only, park vehicles on the “even” and “odd” numbered side of the steet
depending on the year.  For example, in
2017 park cars on the ODD numbered side; and in 2018, park cars on the EVEN
numbered side.

14. If I live in a cul-de-sac, can snow be piled in the middle of the circle?

No.  Piling the snow
in the middle of the circle will not get the cul-de-sac removed any quicker and
will lead to icy patches when the snow melts during the day and refreezes as
temperatures drop overnight. It will also create a hazardous condition when the
Township plows come through in subsequent storms as the drivers cannot see if
children are playing in the snow pile.

15. Whom do I contact if my mailbox is damaged?

Contact the Public Works Department at 215-659-4070.

16. Tips for shoveling during a snow storm.

To avoid having to shovel out your driveway more than once after a storm, follow these tips:

• Wait until after your street has been plowed to shovel the end of your driveway closest to the street.
• When clearing the entrance to your driveway, shovel snow into a pile to the right of the driveway when facing the street and create a small, clear pocket to the left of the driveway for crews to leave snow during plowing.
• Sidewalks must be cleared within 48 hours after the snow, sleet or freezing rain has stopped falling.

17. How do I report a pothole?

To report potholes on State Roads call Penn Dot Pothole Repair at: 1-800-FIX-ROAD (1-800-349-7623).

State Roads are:  York Road, Moreland Road, Edgehill Road, Blair Mill Road, Byberry Road, Warminster Road (from Byberry Rd. to York Rd.), Fitzwatertown Road, Davisville Road, Terwood Road, Easton Road, Mill Road, County Line Road.

To report potholes on County Roads call Montgomery County at: 610-292-5022.

County Roads:  Horsham Road (from 611 to Continental).

To report potholes or other hazardous conditions on local area roads call the Public Works Department at 215-659-4070.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18. How do I know when my leaves will be vacuumed?

Please refer to 2018 Leaf Vacuum Schedule.

19. How do I know what Leaf Zone I live in?

If you are unsure of your zone, please refer to 2017 Leaf Vacuum Schedule.  If you are still unsure, contact the Public Works Department at 215-659-4070.

20. What can I put to the curb for vacuuming?

Only leaves can be raked to the curb. All other yard waste should be put in biodegradable bags, or sticks and branches should be tied and put to the curb for Monday's yard waste pick up.

21. How many opportunities will I get to have my leaves vacuumed?

The Public Works Department makes three passes in each Zone.  For a complete list please see 2017 Leaf Vacuum Schedule.

22. Where should I put my leaves to be vacuumed?

Please rake your leaves to the curb.  Do not rake leaves into the street.

23. Can I still put out bagged yard waste during leaf vacuuming season?

Yes, the Public Works Department picks up bagged yard waste all year round.

24. What happens if there is a car parked in front of my pile of leaves?

Public Works will make every effort to pick up leaves within reach but will not go near the car.  Whenever possible, please be sure cars are removed from the vicinity of the piles until your street has been vacuumed.

25. What do I do with my leaves if I missed putting them to the curb in time for the leaf vacuum for my zone?

Put them in biodegradable bags and put them out for Monday's yard waste pick up.

26. Do changes to the yard waste pick up schedule affect the leaf vacuum schedule?

No, changes to the yard waste schedule are due to holiday scheduling and do not affect the leaf vacuum schedule.

27. What if all my leaves have not fallen after the leaf vacuum makes three passes?

The Public Works Department continues to pick up yard waste in biodegradable bags all year round.

28. Where can I purchase biodegradable bags?

Brown, biodegradable yard waste bags can be purchased at most stores.

29. Can I use plastic yard waste bags?

No, only brown biodegradable bags are permitted.

30. Do I need a permit for a sofa, chair, box spring and mattress?

Other than a sofa bed, these items can go out with your regular trash.  A sofa bed does require a permit.  Permits can be obtained from the Receptionist at the Township Building (117 Park Avenue, Willow Grove, PA  19090) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday.  The cost for a permit for a sofa bed is $30.00.  The mattress for the sofa bed can be put in your regular trash.

31. How to I get rid of latex paint?

Once dried up, latex (water based paint) can be put out with your regular trash.  You can use kitty litter, sand or a product called paint dry.  The cans can then be place out alongside your trash cans with the lids off.

32. Does the Township provide trash and recycling containers?

Trash containers that are no larger than a 50 gallon capacity with removable lids are purchased by the homeowner. Trash cans can be purchased from any home improvement/hardware store.  The Township will provide to each property, a 95 gallon recycling container.  This recycling container is the only acceptable container for recycling.

33. Where can I purchase Trash cans?

Trash cans can be purchased at Home Depot, Lowes or your local hardware or retail stores.  Trash cans may not be more than 50 lbs. and no larger than a 50 gallon capacity.  Containers must have removable lids.  

34. How do I report a Street Light that is not working?

To report a street light that is not working, call the Public Works Department at 215-659-4070.

35. Who is my water and sewer provider?

The Upper Moreland-Hatboro Joint Sewer Authority provides sewer service to Upper Moreland Township.  They can be reached at 215-659-3975.

AQUA provides water service to Upper Moreland Township.  They can be reached at 1-877-987-2782.

36. How to I dispose of household hazardous waste?

Montgomery County holds several residential events for disposing of hazardous waste throughout the year.  For more information please go to Montgomery County Household Hazardous Waste Events.

37. How do I dispose of a Television or other electronics?

Electronics such as televisions, computers, computer monitors, printers, VCR's, DVD players, stereos or anything of that nature require a permit.  Permits can be obtained from the Receptionist at the Township Building.  Once a permit is obtained, these items can be put to the curb on your regular trash day.

38. What is Single Stream Recycling?

Single-stream  recycling refers to a system in which all paper fibers, plastics, metals, and other containers are mixed in a collection truck, instead of being sorted by the depositor. In single-stream, both the collection and processing systems are designed to handle this fully mixture of recyclables, with materials being separated for reuse at a materials recovery facility (MRF).^[1][2] The single-stream option replaces the dual-stream option, which is where people separate certain recyclable materials and place them in separate containers for collection.

39. Does all my recycling need to be in one can?

Yes, with the new automated recycling ALL recycling (glass, cans, plastic, paper and cardboard) must be in the 95 gallon container that is provided by the Township.

40. Will Single Streaming effect E-Waste or Bulk pick up

No. You will still need to purchase a permit for E-Waste items and Bulk items.