Public Works
The Public Works department administers a variety of programs that affect the health, convenience and comfort of Township residents and the community including:
- Maintenance and repair of all Township streets, bridges, stormsewer systems and public rights of way
- Traffic safety and signage including a comprehensive traffic signal and signing network and pavement markings such as crosswalks and lane striping on dedicated roadways
- Roadside and right of way mowing
- The maintenance and repair of all public works motorized equipment
- The maintenance of all township owned properties and parks
- The maintenance and repair of storm water pipes, inlets and culverts
- Snow Removal on dedicated roadways
The Public Works Department prides itself on providing quality services to the residents and businesses of Douglass Township.
For questions or to make a request for road maintenance contact the Douglass Township Public Works Department at 610-367-0984
Winter Weather
The Public Works Department of Douglass Township is well prepared in the event of a major snowstorm, but snow storms are stressful on everyone, including our personnel. So we are requesting the assistance and cooperation of our residents this season to help us during inclement weather.
Please have patience and understand that during a prolonged snow event every inch of snow cannot be removed from the streets the moment the event ends. If it takes hours to occur, it will take hours to remove. We also ask residents who have off-street parking to utilize that and remove vehicles from the street. Plowing around cars is dangerous, time consuming and often impossible in some locations. Residents are also encouraged to delay the shoveling of driveway aprons until the roadway in front of the residence has been plowed. If you shovel before we plow, your driveway will most likely be plowed back in. This is something we cannot prevent. Our personnel are merely trying to clear the roadway so when your vehicles leave the driveway it can safely maneuver on the roads.
Snow plows drive slower than most other vehicles on the road. Please don't tailgate our snow plows - it's dangerous for you and the driver of the plow. Plow drivers are professionals who know how fast they can safely drive and how quickly they can stop the plow truck. Because snow plows also salt the roads with spreaders that throw salt across the lanes of traffic you are required to STAY BACK 50 FEET. Following too closely will make it impossible for the plow driver to see you and your vehicle is in danger of being backed into or of being sprayed with damaging rock salt. Maintaining this 50 foot distance will insure that you and your vehicle remain safe and will also make you much more visible to the plow driver. The safety of our residents and our employees is our priority.
Our Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining 73 miles of roadway within the Township. This does not include East Philadelphia Avenue or Pennsylvania Route 100. These roadways are plowed and maintained by PennDOT. Swamp Pike is a County owned roadway and is plowed and maintained by Montgomery County.
At the beginning of a storm, all roadways will be treated with salt. Throughout the storm, main roadways within the Township will be plowed and salted periodically. In the event of an emergency dispatch within the Township, our Public Works Department will clear all roadways in the area of the emergency to ensure a quick and safe response from our emergency responders.
Once the storm is completed, our Public Works Department will begin final plowing and salting operations. Plow operators will clear all public roadways completely curb to curb. This operation can take 10 to 12 hours from the time that the storm ends. Main roadways are cleared first, and secondary roadways and developments are completed last. This work is completed with 7 full time employees.
How can you help?
- Limit all non-essential travel throughout the storm.
- Remove all vehicles from the public roadways in accordance with the Douglass Township Code of Ordinances.
- Remove basketball nets and sports equipment from the public right of ways.
- Do not blow or throw snow into the public roadway.
- Give our plow operators plenty of room to complete their jobs as safely and as quickly as possible.
- Clear all public sidewalks within 24 hours of the end of the snow storm in accordance with the Douglass Township Code of Ordinances.
- Adopt your nearest fire hydrant and clear it of snow.
- Help your neighbors and be safe.
- Please do not place Trash Cans or Recycling in the public street or within the public right of way until all snow operations are completed with snow plowed curb to curb.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
ORDINANCES (Snow and Ice Removal)
https://ecode360.com/39414983
- § 249-61Removal of vehicles from Township roadways during snow events. § 249-61[Added 12-6-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-03]
https://ecode360.com/39414494
- § 226-7 Deposit of snow and debris on Township roadways or other Township property. [Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
USPS Mailbox Guidelines
For complete USPS mailbox guidelines, click the following link: https://www.usps.com/manage/mailboxes.htm
Where to Place the Mailbox
- Here are some helpful guidelines to follow when placing your mailbox:
- Position your mailbox 41″ to 45″ from the road surface to the bottom of the mailbox or point of mail entry.
- Place your mailbox 6″ to 8″ back from the curb. If you do not have a raised curb, contact your local postmaster for guidance.
- Put your house or apartment number on the mailbox.
- If your mailbox is on a different street from your house or apartment, put your full street address on the box.
Installing the Mailbox Post
The best mailbox supports are stable but bend or fall away if a car hits them. The Federal Highway Administration recommends:
- A 4″ x 4″ wooden support or a 2″-diameter standard steel or aluminum pipe.
- Avoid unyielding and potentially dangerous supports, like heavy metal pipes, concrete posts, and farm equipment (e.g., milk cans filled with concrete).
- Bury your post no more than 24″ deep.
Each property owner should check their mailbox front to ensure that it is the minimum of 6 inches behind the face of the curb, which is within federal postal regulations. Prior to the start of winter, the homeowner should reset any mailboxes protruding past the minimum measurement of 6 inches behind the face of the curb. This will ensure that the mailbox will not be damaged during the plowing operations. Any damage that may occur will be the responsibility of the homeowner, unless the plow truck makes direct contact with the mailbox or the post.
In Pennsylvania, you must call 8-1-1 or submit a request online at pa1call.org at least three business days before any digging project to have underground utility lines marked. This free service prevents hazardous damage to pipes, cables, and wires, which can cause injuries or costly repairs. It is required by law for projects like installing fences, planting trees, or building decks.
- When to Call: Call at least three business days before you plan to dig.
- What to Have Ready: Address, nearest cross street, and specific location of the excavation area.
- Action Required: Mark your proposed dig site with white paint, flags, or stakes.
- Process: Utility companies will mark the underground lines with color-coded paint or flags.
- Safety: Protects you and your community from dangerous underground gas, electric, or water lines.
- Legality: It is mandated by law, and failure to call can result in fines or liability for damage costs.
- Services: Covers all types of digging, including installing mailboxes, planting shrubs, and using heavy machinery.