Borough of Athens, PA Snow and Ice Emergencies

§ 498-34 Parking prohibited; driving on snow emergency routes restricted.

[Amended 10-10-1994 by Ord. No. 466, approved 10-10-1994]

During any snowfall where the snow remains on the street that requires it to be plowed, it shall be unlawful, at any time for any person to park a motor vehicle or to allow that vehicle to remain parked anywhere on any street that hinders the removal of snow. Said prohibition shall apply to all streets of the Borough and shall subject the owner of the vehicle to a fine of $50 in addition to any towing expenses. The Athens Borough Police Department of expressly authorized to tow any vehicle in violation of this section with all costs of towing and impound fees to be paid by the owner of the vehicle.

[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]

During any snowfall where the snow remains on the street that requires it to be plowed and the Mayor declares a snow emergency, it shall be unlawful at any time for any person to park a motor vehicle or to allow that vehicle to remain parked anywhere on any street that hinders the removal of snow. Said prohibition shall apply to all streets of the Borough and shall subject the owner of the vehicle to a fine of $100.

During any snowfall where the snow remains on any designated snow emergency route that requires it to be plowed and the Mayor declares a snow emergency, it shall be unlawful at any time for any person to park a motor vehicle or to allow that vehicle to remain parked anywhere on any designated emergency route that hinders the removal of snow. Said prohibition shall apply to all streets of the Borough and shall subject the owner of the vehicle to a fine of $500.

For purposes of this article, the following highways shall be designated as snow emergency routes:

Name of Highway	Side	Location
Church Street	Both	Entire length
Hugh Street	Both	Entire length
North Elmira Street	Both	Entire length
North Main Street	Both	Entire length
North River Street	Both	Entire length
North Street	Both	Entire length
Pine Street, East and West	Both	Entire length
Satterlee Street	Both	Entire length
South Elmira Street	Both	Entire length
South Main Street	Both	Entire length
South River Street	Both	Entire length
Spruce Street	Both	Entire length
Susquehanna Street	Both	Entire length
Walnut Street	Both	Entire length
Wells Avenue	Both	Entire length

During any snowfall where the snow remains on any street, including snow emergency routes, that requires it to be plowed and the Mayor, or in the Mayor's absence, the President of Council, or successor, declares a snow emergency, it shall be unlawful at any time for any person to drive any motor vehicle on any such snow emergency route, or any street, unless that vehicle is for emergency purposes. Said prohibition shall apply to all streets of the Borough and shall subject the owner of the vehicle to a fine of $100.

For purposes of this article, "emergency purposes" shall be defined as follows: the use of a motor vehicle to transport medical personnel, fire, police, utilities and persons otherwise stranded by the storm.

§ 498-35 Placement of signs.

In order to assist the operators of motor vehicles and tractors in determining the highways affected by this article, the Chief of Police shall place around the utility poles on the highways or portions thereof designated in § 498-35B above signs reading as follows:

SNOW

EMERGENCY

ROUTE

SNOW TIRES OR CHAINS REQUIRED

NO PARKING

DURING EMERGENCY

VEHICLES

TOWED AWAY

The Mayor or the Chief of Police shall also, through radio, newspaper or other available media, disseminate information as to the existence of such emergency.

§ 498-36 Prohibited acts.

[Amended 10-10-1994 by Ord. No. 466, approved 10-10-1994]

Any person who shall operate a motor vehicle or tractor upon or along any of the highways or portions thereof in the Borough during the time period of a declared snow emergency by the Mayor or, in the Mayor's absence, the Council President or his successor, shall be guilty of a violation of this section.

Any person who shall park a vehicle or tractor upon any portion or highway that is designated as a snow emergency route when it snows shall be subject to having the vehicle towed and to a fine for leaving said vehicle on the street during a snow storm.

This article shall not prevent the operation of any motor vehicle or tractor by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or any of its agents or employees who are involved in snow removal operations.

This article shall not prohibit any individual from using a state highway if it is lawful to do so during a snow emergency declared by the Mayor of the Borough.

§ 498-37 Licensed snow removal contractors.

[Added 10-10-1994 by Ord. No. 466, approved 10-10-1994]

Any person or corporation that is a licensed contractor for purposes of snow removal in Athens Borough and has provided proper vehicle insurance, liability insurance, proper motor vehicle license and a properly inspected vehicle who has previously submitted the snow routes on which he intends to operate may be allowed by the Mayor to operate to remove snow during a declared snow emergency.

Said licensee or motor vehicle operator shall apply to the Mayor of the Borough for permission to operate during a snow emergency, and said Mayor's approval shall be contingent upon the requirements set forth in Subsection A above. In the event that the Mayor rejects the application of the licensed contractor to operate during a snow emergency, the applicant shall have a right to appeal said decision to the Borough Council, where it shall be voted thereon after a hearing is afforded to the licensed contractor.