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The Town Board of the Town of Hopkinton will hold its regular Monthly Meeting & Public Hearing on proposed Local Law #3 on April 21, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Hopkinton Town Hall.. The public is encouraged to attend.

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Proposed Local Law #3

SNOW AND ICE ROAD MAINTENANCE LAW

 Section 1. Purpose:  The purpose of this document is to establish the Town’s Law and level of service with respect to the clearing of snow, ice and maintenance of the road system during the winter months.  This Law and level of service are to be implemented within the amount of money budgeted for this service, as contained in the Highway budget approved by the Town Board, Town of Hopkinton. 

 Section 2. Level of Service:  Clearance of snow, ice or maintenance of the Town road system during the winter months is primarily for the benefit of the local residents of the Town.  Each storm has individual characteristics and must be dealt with accordingly.  The portion of the roadway improved for travel will have upon it snow and ice in a compacted condition.  These conditions may be continuous, or may be more concentrated on hills, in the valleys, on curves and/or intersections.  The Town’s existing snow removal equipment and personnel shall be utilized for this purpose.    Snow cleared from that part of the roadway improved for travel shall be placed on or in the adjacent shoulder, ditch or right-of-way.  Snow can be expected to accumulate adjacent to the traveled portion to be the extent that a motorist’s sight distance to both the right and the left may be greatly reduced or impaired.  The snow removed from the intersections shall be piled in its corners in piles of unequal height.  The line of sight, sight distance or visibility of motorists approaching these intersections may be greatly reduced or impaired, as in agreement with NYS Law.  The Town shall not be responsible for snow pushed or otherwise placed on the roadway or shoulder by others.  Motorists will be advised to drive their vehicles during these conditions with additional caution and watchfulness, especially with respect to the surface of the roadway and reduced or impaired visibility.   They are additionally advised to reduce their speed to be reasonable and prudent depending on road conditions.

 During these conditions, no additional warning or regulatory signs shall be placed which warn of sight distances, visibility at intersections, road blockages, one lane conditions, or that the surface is slick or slippery, or what the reasonable and prudent speed should be.

 Section 3. Sequence of Service: In the implementation of snow and ice removal, and other maintenance of the Town road system during the winter months, the Superintendent of Highways shall select the actual sequence of roads to be cleared.  

 Any contracts with other governments will be carried out as per contract agreements.

 The Town shall not clear snow from private drives.  Normal snow removal operations may result in snow being deposited in private drives.  Snow from private drives shall not be placed on the roadways or shoulders.

 There is no time limit after a snowstorm in which any of the above sequences, of clearance, on paved or unpaved roads, shall take place.

 Dead End Roads:  In accordance with NYS Law, The Highway Superintendent has the authority to ensure that a turnaround is available on each dead-end road within the Town of Hopkinton.  Also, the Highway Superintendent has the authority to deposit snow where needed for safety reasons.  Dead-end roads must be kept free of obstructions.

Private Roads:  During Emergency or unsafe conditions, as determined by the Highway Superintendent, sanding, salting, and plowing may be done by the Town of Hopkinton.

Section 4. Mailboxes:  The Town is unable to replace or repair mailboxes damaged or destroyed during ice or snow removal operations.    The Highway Superintendent and the State have a duty to keep the highway available for public use.  Snow removal and snow storage are an incident of that use.

“The highways of the state are made for and devoted to public travel, and the whole public have the right to their use in their entirety and when obstructions to public are found within their bounds, the commissioners of highways are clothed with power to remove them without waiting for the slow process of law, even though travel be not absolutely and entirely prevented” (VAN WYCK v LENT, 33 HUN 301).  When the necessity of keeping the highway open conflicts with the individual’s receipt of the mail the latter must stand aside.  The owner might even be compelled to remove the box under Highway Law #319.

Section 5. Emergency Conditions.

A.      The Superintendent of Highways and/or the Town Board of Hopkinton may suspend the level of service or sequence of service during “Emergency” conditions.  An “Emergency” condition shall be considered as one where a loss of life is probable, where a serious injury has occurred, or where extensive loss of property is imminent. 

B.      Plowing, sanding, salting or placing of other abrasives upon the roadways that are slick, slippery and dangerous as determined by the Highway Superintendent.

C.    In the case of a State of Emergency being declared, the Highway Superintendent will           follow the direction of the current Emergency Disaster Recovery Plan of the Town of            Hopkinton.

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FIRE DISTRICT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

The Hopkinton Fire District Board of Commissioners will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hopkinton Municipal Bldg. The public is encouraged to attend.

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