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Private roads seek cost break on snowplowing
(by Sue Reid - September 17, 2008)
Private roads seek cost break on snowplowing
By SUE REID
Hunting Valley Mayor John D. Wheeler told Village Council last week that he has been approached by various homeowners associations to take a "fresh look" at policies involving snow removal on private roads.
Mr. Wheeler said he will appoint a task force to take a look at the village's policy, as well as those of surrounding communities.
Hunting Valley's current policy allocates the costs of snow removal based on a complex formula that is based on the village's average cost of plowing per mile of road over the last five years, he said. "It's a pretty fair arrangement and benefits the associations," he said, because they get the benefit of the lower costs from previous years.
Mr. Wheeler said the homeowners associations are suggesting that the village provide the service at a significantly reduced cost. Their thought is that they should not be disqualified from village services just because they live on private roads, he said.
"I am comfortable with the way we do it, but, if other communities are providing these services at a lower cost, that is something the task force will look at," he said.
The village plows all its main roads, as well as county roads. In the private subdivisions, it plows the roads if the homeowners contract with the village for the service. Homeowners in the private subdivisions have the option of hiring private snowplow operators, Mr. Wheeler said. "Virtually all of them use the village. I suspect that is because we're cheaper than what a private snowplow service would be."
In related action, council approved a motion to authorize the mayor to enter into agreements for snow removal for the following private subdivisions: Daisy Hill Neighborhood Association, Hunting Hill Homeowners Association, Lake House Condominium Association, Marcourt Farms Homeowners Association, Mather Lane Association, Nottingham Lane Subdivision, Valley Ridge Farm and for residents whose homes are accessed via Quail Lane.
Mr. Wheeler said plowing of state routes in the village, SOM Center Road (Route 91) and Kinsman Road (Route 87), is the responsibility of the Ohio Department of Transportation.
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