Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Trenton needs to rethink snow removal plans
Effective snow removal in Trenton remains a riddle, wrapped in mystery, inside an enigma.
Many motorists despised the city’s horrid practice of repeated snowplow trips onto side streets, efforts that left automobiles trapped by solid walls of frozen snow.
One visit to Franklin St. showed that city officials had not forgotten The Burg. Residents smiled then went outside and started digging out.
Winter storm Stella did not deliver nearly the amount of predicted snowfall and combined with the snowplow visit, freedom for cars seemed easy-peasy.
Cue the Jaws music. (As the snowplow turned off Hamilton Ave. onto Franklin St.)
The heating blanket setting soothed at a lower setting, pillows were propped just perfectly and binge watching included “Brooklyn, Nine Nine”, Australian series “Janet King”, and “Fences”, Denzel Washington’s fantastic movie already out in Red Box and Netflix.
Viola Davis, honored as the Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actress, delivers an outstanding performance as “Rose” in the film adaptation of August Wilson’s stage gem.
So, car’s dug out. Yours truly? Cozy and toasty in the upstairs bedroom. Forget being wrapped by mystery, my body embalmed in a sheet, comforter, and heating blanket.
And then, that rumbling sound. Snowplow.
Not much torments as the second trip made by the city’s abominable snowplow men.
My body, mind and soul literally froze, knowing that the snowplow would encase our cars in knee-deep snow. By morning, snow had a crusted texture of quick settling cement combined with rocks of Gibraltar.
Neighbors created miniature alcoves that allowed just enough space to guide their cars through mounds of snow that will stay around well into April.
Of course, a flurry of garbage cans and furniture were placed into shoveled areas as protection against any person considering pulling their vehicle into such hallowed streetscapes.
A personal getaway included shoveling a threefoot space between my car and the neighbor’s vehicle then driving out through their shoveled area. Have no idea what will occur upon return but freedom frequently dismisses detail.
The car fishtailed onto Franklin St. as further travels revealed a city stymied by a miniature weather event. Of course, sleet and freezing rain presented challenges but Trenton efforts failed again.
A city of 84,913 people packed into 7.648 square miles needs a real plan regarding snow removal. For instance, producing a procedure that coordinates with residents a snowplow schedule would allow removal of cars from all streets.
Imagine, all cars taken off Franklin St. followed by a snowplow that delivers curb-to-curb access. Ten minutes later, residents could return to cleared parking spaces. No need for major shoveling and definitely no need for saving parking spaces with lawn furniture (an illegal activity).
“I’ve been saying that for a long time. Just make everyone remove their cars off the streets. There’s plenty of parking lots that can be used until the plows go through,” said Matt Guagliardo, Italian People’s Bakery manager.
It’s a great idea. In fact, if city officials fail in this endeavor then individual blocks should develop this strategy. Get your cars off the street, Call for a snow plow then return your vehicles to open space.
A drive through other parts of Trenton magnified a less than satisfactory performance.
One might expect a better snow removal performance at the Trenton Train Station but areas near parking meters along Walnut Ave. were encased in frozen snow.
A Wednesday “Split Decision” contribution considered a move to Bermuda, Florida or Costa Rica. After digging out the car for a second time, those destinations seem more attractive.
With a minimal temperature warm up, at least according to area meteorologists (stop laughing), mounds and mountains of snow from the Great Blizzard of March 2017 will be a part of the Trenton landscape for weeks.