Important Ice and Snow Removal Notice
THE PUSHING OF ICE, SNOW OR OTHER MATERIALS ONTO OR ACROSS MARATHON COUNTY HIGHWAYS OR VILLAGE OF MAINE ROADS FROM PRIVATE DRIVEWAYS OR PROPERTIES CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS. THIS ACTIVITY IS ILLEGAL AND PROHIBITED BY WISCONSIN STATE STATUTES 86.01 AND/OR 346.94(5) AND MARATHON COUNTY AND VILLAGE OF MAINE ORDINANCES.
Pushing snow and ice onto Marathon County highways or Village of Maine roads may create safety concerns for public works employees and the traveling public. If Marathon County or Village of Maine becomes aware of a violation, the property owner may be subject to a fine.
CLEARING YOUR DRlVEWAY - it is illegal to push and deposit snow and ice onto a municipal road when clearing your driveway.
This activity creates windrows of snow that are left behind from the edge of the plow blade. The windrows freeze solid and create a hazardous situation. The plow blade and wing can hook the frozen windrows, which can cause the wing to swing back into the truck. This will do substantial damage to the truck and the driver may be injured. It is an expensive insurance claim, which then affects Maine's loss record and Insurance premium. It also takes an important piece of equipment out of service until the repairs are done.
Secondly, if the traveling public do not notice the windrows and slow down, they may lose control of their vehicle and cause a serious accident. The homeowner that deposited the snow in the road will be liable for the claim.
With ATV's / UTV's being used to clear snow, the County and Maine public works are having an increased number of residents pushing their snow onto the highways and roadways. It is important that with the first snow fall you prepare areas on your property that are sufficient in size to handle the winter's accumulation of snow.
Residents may not deposit snow at the end driveways and/or in the road right of way area. This practice creates serious drainage issues and frozen culverts during the spring thaw. When culverts and ditches are frozen the water runs across the roads and creates hazardous traffic conditions.
Residents may not deposit or store their snow along a property line, at the end of a driveway or in the road right of way area in a manner which will obstruct or limit pedestrian or vehicular vision, movement, or access. Obstruction of vision clearance triangles at intersections is prohibited by 86.191 of State Statutes. Marathon County Ordinance, Maine's Ordinance Chapter 17.08-13 and Maine's Municipal Code 19.06(2).
Marathon County and the Village of Maine public works departments also encourage the removal of snow near mailboxes to help facilitate the safe and convenient delivery of mail, reduce potential conflicts between mail delivery vehicles and the traveling public.
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. It is important to avoid penalty and liability all while keeping our winter roads safe for everyone! The life you save may be your own or the life of a family member or neighbor.
Thank you - Maine's Village Board & Public Works
Village of Maine Roads - Damage Costs Everyone
If you are driving heavy loads, construction equipment, or construction deliveries please exercise caution on Village of Maine roads particularly in warm weather. Homeowners who have contracted with someone for construction or other projects requiring heavy equipment use, please discuss this issue with them and inquire about potential damage to roads. Heavy equipment usage causes the most damage to our rural roads and costs the most in repair and maintenance.
Damage to roads is a serious problem in the very warm weather we've had this summer. The asphalt can be damaged or even pulled up with the excess weight of construction equipment. Potential damage CAN be minimized when the proper precautions are taken. When they aren't, the costs to taxpayers is very high - one mile of road construction costs taxpayers approximately $200,000 per mile! Even a short stretch of damage to a road can quickly add up to $20,000 in repairs or more.
If you or your contractor have questions - or if you notice an area that has recently received damage - please call the Village of Maine at (715) 675-5607.