DOVER— Snow-plow trucks from the Delaware Department of Transportation and Dover are continuing to make progress clearing all roads in the city, local officials said Tuesday.
First State Heritage Park research and programming interpreter Eric Hamilton shovels snow from the brick sidewalks at the historic John Bell House on The Green Tuesday morning as the area’s snow cleanup continued. (Delaware State News/Dave Chambers)
“We’re still working on getting to the places that we weren’t able to reach,” Mayor Robin Christiansen said.
Trash and recycling for Monday and Tuesday were to be picked up today.
“We’re making our rounds on that,” Mayor Christiansen said. “We’ll continue to go out and pick up the trash and recycling cans throughout the city.”
The crews have been working nonstop since Friday.
City manager Scott Koenig estimates overtime hours will cost the city between $30,000 and $50,000.
Most of the major intersections and roadways are clear, while some residential areas still seemed to be tough for drivers.
The snow is being moved to Schutte Park as everything is finally starting to return to normal, the mayor said.
“All of the neighbors have been hopefully taken care of and if they haven’t we’ll be there to take care of it,” he added.
He said Mother Nature is on their side as temperatures are expected to stay in or near the 40s through the weekend.
“As the snow starts to melt it will go to our storage drains, which will help us out a lot,” Mayor Christiansen said. That will help with potential flooding.”
But the problem that crews continue to face is the freezing temperatures during the night.
“That causes more ice to build,” the mayor said. “It makes it tough for the crews. It hasn’t been that much of a
Doug Gallagher, 7 of Dover enjoys his day off from the second grade at East Dover Elementary School enjoying sledding on the huge hills at Smyrna-Clayton Little League Tuesday morning.
problem, but we’re working through it.”
Also, AAA Mid-Atlantic continues to experience extremely high call volumes, said Jim Lardear, director of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic.
“Dead car batteries are the number one reason our members are calling us, as evidenced by Monday’s post-blizzard call volume,” he said in a news release.
“Battery calls to AAA accounted for 30 percent of its total call volume in Delaware throughout the weekend and Monday as motorists returned to their cars after they likely sat idle throughout the storm and its freezing temperatures,” he added.
Dover resident Ron Poliquin said the roads were better than they were two days ago, but believes there’s always room for improvement.
“I just think the city should explain why it took so much longer this year than other years, especially after raising taxes substantially,” he said.
“Perhaps there is a perfectly reasonable explanation, but there needs to be communication. I think it would be great if neighborhoods had an idea on when they would get plowed. I think this would help families plan ahead for work and childcare,” he added.
Mayor Christiansen said he greatly appreciates the patience of the residents in the city.
“We’re still working,” he said. “We’re doing the best that we can to make sure that not only the main roads are safe, but to make sure our residential neighborhoods are clear, as well.
“I would like to thank the residents for being patient, as we try to get everything situated for everyone.”
City of Dover employee Dave Morgan cleans up American Avenue Tuesday morning.