Public Works
Staff:
Joel Kie - Highway Superintendent
Dan Miller - Depty Superintendent
Hours:
Monday - Friday 7am - 3:30pm Winter
Monday - Thursday 6am - 4:30 pm Summer hours
Greetings from the Town of Dickinson Highway Department. Please be assured that your roads will be plowed and safe through this season. The department remains on a 24/7 schedule. The Highway Department is responsible for plowing 11.95 centerline miles of town roads. Since both sides of the road have to be plowed, that mileage doubles to 24.14 miles each time we plow. Many times the crews have to plow and sand their routes 3 times in a day/night shift. The mileage then totals out to 72.4. The following is information on town wide parking regulations, safety and highway department mailbox repair/replacement policies.
PARKING is prohibited from 2:00 AM to 5:00 AM on all town roads November 15th to April 15th, Re: Town of Dickinson code 528-16. This allows Town snowplows to keep the traveled roadway wide enough to allow two-way traffic and emergency vehicle access. Offenders may risk having their vehicles towed.
Of interest to commercial driveway plowers and individuals who shovel or blow snow into the road, it is illegal to do so. According to Town Highway Law Chapter 214; No person shall throw, put or place, or cause to be thrown, any snow or ice into any public highway, street, public place or thoroughfare in the Town. Penalty not less than $5.00 or more than $100.00. It is also a violation of NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law Sec. 1219A. Placing snow on the highway, especially after the town has plowed creates a hazard which could result in property damage, injury or death.
MAILBOXES: This is almost a no win situation for everyone, especially when snow begins to accumulate. The Town snowplow operators try to plow close enough to the mailbox so that mail can be delivered by your mail carrier. Unfortunately the snow coming off the end of the plow, or the snow being compacted between the mailbox and the plow may damage or destroy the mailbox. If the plow driver does not come close enough to the mailbox the mail carrier will not deliver the mail. Even though it is the addressee’s responsibility to enable the carrier to deliver their mail, the Highway Department is blamed if the mail can’t be delivered. We are also faulted if the plow damages the mailbox because we came too close. And yes, occasionally the driver does get too close or is sometimes forced over by a vehicle coming in the opposite direction and the plow hits the mailbox. Believe it or not we do not intentionally knock mailboxes down.
PARENTS please keep the kids from tunneling into the snow banks created by the plows. Kids in tunnels create the potential for a tragic accident by either the collapse of the tunnel or being struck by the snowplow as it continues to keep the roads wide enough for two way traffic. These tunnels are difficult to see from the driver’s position and situations have arisen in the past, which is cause for concern. Also be advised that sporting devices such as basketball hoops and hockey nets located in the right of way, normally 24’ to 30’ from the road centerline are considered as obstructions and therefore illegal.
This information is being passed along to inform, not offend the public. The Highway Department appreciates your cooperation.
The decision to repair or replace a mailbox and/or support system rests solely with the Highway Superintendent or his designee.
Best wishes for safe travel through the remainder of the winter season from all of us at the Town of Dickinson Highway Department.
Highway Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why didn’t they pick up my/brush/yard debris? What is the schedule?
A: Yard waste pick up starts at the first Monday of April and ends the last Monday of October. Please no bags see note on proper bundling. Question Call Town of Dickinson at 771-0771
Q: I have a dead tree in my yard—will you cut it and take it away?
A: We will do this if it is in our right of way (within 25-30 feet from the center of the road depending on location of road). Otherwise, you are responsible to take care of this matter.
Q: What do I do with refrigerators, freezers, microwaves, televisions, and large pieces of metal?
A: The town highway department does not pick these up nor are we responsible for the disposal of these items. Call your garbage Haulgler.
Q: Will you remove the dead deer from the road?
A: We will come and remove the dead deer if it is a Town owned road (named roads). Dead deer on state and county roads should be referred to them.
Q: Who do I call with a water problem?
A: If it relates to drainage on a town road, we will add it to our list of items to fix. If it relates to a water delivery problem, then they should call Town of Dickinson Water/Sewer department at 723-3099 or 723-9402 ext.222.
Q: Who do I call if I am having a problem with my sewer?
A: You should call Town of Dickinson Water/Sewer department at 723-3099 or 723-9402 ext.222
Q: When are they going to mow?
A: We have one full-time roadside mower that mows continuously all summer long. He will mow all town owned roads about 3 times during the summer season.
Q: Is it okay to put my Christmas tree at the curb?
A: Yes, you may we will pick them up as we can and we will take them to be ground up at teh D.E.C.(please no bags!)
Q: Why is my neighbor’s road plowed & not mine?
A: You neighbor may live on a state, county, village, or a neighboring town highway.
Q: When are you going to plow my road?
A: Our plow routes take approximately 3½-4 hours to complete. Your road will be addressed sometime during each plow run.
Q: Will you fix my mailbox?
A: Even though it is not legally required, we will gladly fix your mailbox if it is hit by one of our plow trucks. We are not responsible to repair mailboxes damaged by private driveway plows.
Q: Why do I get more snow plowed into my yard than my neighbor’s do?
A: We do not intentionally plow more snow in your lawn than your neighbor’s lawn; but depending upon your location, this could happen.
Brush pick up:
The Dickinson Town Board implemented Brush pick up program that is provided by the Highway Deptment. It is intended for our resisdents not for comercial tree and yard services.Yard Waste pick up-will begin at 6:00am the first Monday of April and will continue till the last Monday of October. Pick ups Might go to Tuesday espcialy if Monday is a Holiday.Place grass in solid containers - No Plastic Bags. Branches & Brush - bundle and tied in about 4 foot lengths. Improtant containers and bundles should not wiegh more than 40lbs.Overwight containers/bundles will not be picked up. Limit 6 cans/ bundles per week.
Fall Leaf Pick Up:
Rake leaves to the curb or place in cans (NO BAGS). Pick up will begin shorty after leaves begin to fall and will end the last week of November or the first Snowfall.
Christmas Trees:
Place at curb for pick up most any day untill January 31st.
Garbage/Pick up:
The contract that covers the Garbage District in the Prospect and Sunrise Terrace area was once again rewarded to Taylor Garbage Service. Taylor was the low bidder for this multi-year contract and the good news is your garbage rates have been REDUCED as compared to your last 2 years of service.