The following is a list of MVF snow plowing responsibilities:

• The Montgomery Village Foundation Office
• North Creek Community Center
• Stedwick Community Center
• Whetstone Community Center
• Lake Marion Community Center
• Montgomery County Roads: Apple Ridge Road, Doubleland Road, Stedwick Road, East Village Avenue, Watkins Mill Road, Stewartown Road, Club House Road, Fulks Farm Road, Arrowhead Road, Lewisberry Road, Rothbury Drive, Cinnabar Drive are the responsibility of Montgomery County

Other details of the plan are as follows:
Three phases constitute the basis for the snow plan and are as follows:

• Phase I: snowfall less than 6 inches.
• Phase II: snowfall between 6 and 12 inches.
• Phase III: snowfall over 12 inches requires use of the back up contractors.

The MVF fleet will handle most Phase I and II storms; however, additional

4x4 trucks and plows may be required to augment the MVF fleet during some Phase II storms. A retainer has been paid to an outside contractor to assist with snowfall over 12 inches. All salt operations will be done by the MVF fleet.

PHASE I

Phase I is expected to take 10-12 hours and will utilize 10-12 4x4 trucks equipped with plow and spreader, one 1 ton dump truck with plow and spreader and one 1-ton dump truck with plow and spreader.

PHASE II

Phase II may take 20 - 24 hours and will utilize 10-12 4x4 trucks with plows and spreaders, one 1-ton dump truck with plow and spreader and one 1-ton dump truck with plow and spreader. If snow totals 10 inches or more, un-retained contractors may be used.

PHASE III: SNOWFALL OVER 12 INCHES 

Depending on the type of snow (wet versus dry), the intensity of storm, the timing and future forecast, sub-contractors may or may not be brought in. We are keenly aware of our limits and will bring sub-contractors in when the situation merits it.

SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL

Street snow removal in all phases of snow will be the first priority. When a snow event ends, sidewalk snow removal will begin after the streets are cleared, and all efforts will be made to have snow removed within 24 hours. Sidewalks will be cleared by full time staff and seasonal workers. Crews will be equipped with snow shovels, snow blowers, and a four wheel drive all terrain vehicle with a plow. Ice melter is applied when needed. In the event of snowfall over 6 inches, staff will contact Montgomery County to request an extension of time to remove the snow/ice. Backup sidewalk snow removal assistance may be required in a snowfall over 12 inches.

COMMUNICATIONS

Resident Notification:

A pre-recorded message is available at the "Hotline" number - 301-948-0111, ext. 200 to be updated as needed during a storm.

SNOW REMOVAL OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES

The following general guidelines for snow removal will be followed when planning how best to handle a snowstorm. These guidelines will be followed as closely as possible; however, due to the unpredictable nature of snowstorms and associated weather, they are subject to change as conditions warrant. In general our snow removal operations coincide with those of Montgomery County. Sidewalk snow removal will begin at the end of the storm after the streets are cleared. In accordance with Montgomery County Law, sidewalk snow removal will be in effect for all storm types, with implementation dependent on individual Homes Corporation customer Snow Policy. The goal of these guidelines is to help MVF personnel anticipate what will be expected and to allow staff to prepare themselves accordingly.

Storm Type I:             Icing or under 2 inches of snow.

Time of Day:              Late evening or overnight

Required Service:    Road Salting only

Notes:                         These storms will only require street salting. This operation is expected to take approximately 4-5 hours beginning at 3 a.m. This will allow us to clear the roadways in time for the morning rush hours.

Storm Type II:            Any snow/ice during the day

Time of Day:              7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Required Service:    Depends on the type/ intensity of storm.

Notes:                         These types of storm will be treated as the snow falls. Our goal will be to keep all roadways open and drivable.

Storm Type III:           Heavy Snow 4-5+ inches

Time of Day:              Overnight

Required Service:    Plowing/Salting

Notes:                         When plowing is required to deal with a heavy snowstorm, staff will start snow removal operations at approximately midnight. This will allow MVF personnel to open up a large percentage of the roadways before motorists start packing the snow. This action will facilitate the opening of the majority of the roads for the morning rush hour. Call backup plow operators, as needed.

Storm Type IV:          Snow over 12 inches

Time of Day:              Anytime

Required Service:    Heavy equipment/ bobcats

Notes:                         When a blizzard is in progress and 4x4 trucks are unavailable to clear streets, front-end loaders will open one lane of traffic in all areas for emergency access and then return to open streets curb to curb. No parking area will be cleared until authorization is received from the maintenance chairperson.

* When plowing is in progress, snow will not be pushed to islands where a fire hydrant is located or in front of mailboxes.