We officially have snow here in East Grand Rapids. The City of East Grand Rapids Public Works crews will be working hard to keep streets and sidewalks cleared this winter. As we head into the winter season, here are some things that you need to know.
Leaf Collection is Ending
Yard waste/leaf collection service ends Friday, Dec. 8. Regular yard waste pickup will resume April 2, 2018.
Christmas Tree-Holiday Wreath-Decoration Pickup
Christmas trees, holiday wreaths and other natural plant based decorations will be picked up on the terrace side of the curb by Public Works from Tuesday, Jan. 2 through Friday, Jan. 12 following regular yard waste collection routes (Monday’s route (Jan. 1) will be collected on Tuesday, Jan. 2 ) The City is not able to collect trees, wreaths or other holiday decorations that have wire, ornaments, lights, etc. on them as the trees and wreaths are chipped/recycled. Please make sure any of these items placed out are only natural, plant based material.
Snow Plow Season
The City of East Grand Rapids Public Works crews will be working hard to keep streets and sidewalks cleared this winter.
Snow and ice removal guidelines prioritize how City plow crews handle snow and ice events. The City clears snow on City streets based on priority and local road routes. Priority routes are considered our major streets, which are plowed and salted as necessary to minimize slippery road surface conditions. Local road routes include all remaining residential streets, which will be plowed after all priority routes have been cleared. Local road routes are lightly salted, as needed, to control slippery conditions. Please click here to view the priority streets route map.
In the event of significant snow accumulation on one-way and other narrow streets, the City posts temporary ‘no parking’ signs in advance of efforts to remove excess snow. Residents are asked to make every effort to remove vehicles from streets where these signs appear so crews can plow and haul snow out to keep the streets passable and accessible.
City sidewalks are plowed after the accumulation of approximately two inches of snow and on weekends when snow events have concluded. Plow crews clear sidewalk safety routes to schools first and then remaining sidewalks in the City. The City does not provide ice control to sidewalks. Please click here to see the priority sidewalk map.
As a result of plowing streets and sidewalks snow may be deposited into driveways. Plow crews are sensitive to this issue, however, there is no practical way to plow snow without depositing snow into driveways. Residents are responsible for the removal of this snow. Driveways/sidewalks can be cleared to accept this snow by clearing “pockets” to accept snow from plows as noted in this graphic to “avoid the second shovel.”
On occasion mailboxes can be damaged during snow removal. Please click here for some mailbox protection tips and click here to see the City mailbox replacement policy.
As winter approaches, we would like to encourage the residents along the boulevards on Hall Street, Cambridge Boulevard and Plymouth Avenue to discuss with their snow plow contractors to not push the snow from the driveways onto the boulevards. The grass suffers damage from the snow plows and the large snow piles can lead to dead spots in the spring time. We hope to continue to improve the aesthetics of our boulevards and hope residents will assist where they can.
Snowplow Contractors
Contractors hired by residents/businesses must be licensed with the City of East Grand Rapids and adhere to the following regulations:
- Snow shall not be deposited in the street or in public sidewalks.
- Snow shall be deposited behind the curb (or where curbs do not exist, off the traveled portion of the roadway) along the same side of the street as the driveway being plowed.
- Snow shall not be deposited across the street from the driveway being plowed.
- Snow shall not be deposited around fire hydrants.
Licenses may be obtained through the City Clerk and Finance Departments.
Christmas Eve Luminary Displays
If your street/neighborhood participates in the luminary display, please make sure a representative calls the Department of Public Works at 616.940.4870 by noon on Wednesday, Dec. 20 to arrange for the delivery of the sand for the bags.