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:
  (ONLY plowed by MVF at the discretion of the county)
  • 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
• Homes Corporations:
  • Eastgate
  • East Village 
  • Middle Village
  • Patton Ridge
    All roads within the individual homes corporations are plowed.

There are three to four drivers assigned to the county roads. If their assignments are done in a timely fashion, they can assist the other drivers to finish their assignments. Depending on the storm intensity and the time of the storm, MVF will have four to six drivers assigned to plow the four homes corporations with whom we have contracts. For the MVF office and MVF community centers, there will be one to two drivers assigned. MVF will also have one person assigned to the four-wheel drive all-terrain vehicle to clear sidewalks on county sidewalks and within the homes corporations.

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 of more than 12 inches—requires use of the backup 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 storms. Outside contractors are required for a snowfall of more than 12 inches. All salt operations will be done by the MVF fleet.

PHASE I

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

PHASE II

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

PHASE III

Snowfall of more than 12 inches requires backup contractors who are on a two-hour notification status and (eight) loaders, (two) 4x4 trucks and (four) walk behind snow blowers that are on retainer. The contractor vehicles will be dispatched according to the needs of various homes corporations.

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 (for the above mentioned homes corporations) 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 and a four-wheel drive all-terrain vehicle with a plow. Ice melter is applied when needed. In the event of snowfall of more than 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 of more than 12 inches.

COMMUNICATIONS

Residents will be provided with information regarding the plan in the Village News in early December. The information will also be available on the web site.

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. 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 depending on individual homes corporation’s 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 less than 2 inches of snow
Time of Day: Late evening or overnight
Required Service: Road salting only
Note: These storms will only require street salting. This operation is expected to take approximately 4 to 5 hours, beginning at 3 a.m. This will allow us to clear the roadways in time for the morning rush hour.

Storm Type II: Snow/ice during the day
Time of Day: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Required Service: Depends on the type/intensity of storm
Note: 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
Note: 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: Snowfall of more than 12 inches
Time of Day: Anytime
Required Service: Heavy equipment/Bobcats
Note: 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 areas 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.