Oakmont crews ready for next round of snow

Oakmont public works crews remain undaunted by the recent snowfall, and are ready to clear a path for travelers should they be called out again.

“We are always prepared to treat and clear roads within the borough,” Borough Manager Scot Fodi said via email.

Oakmont has three full-time public works employees and no part-timers.

Crews typically work 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and are on call during the winter months for emergencies.

Each has routes assigned with main streets such as Allegheny River Boulevard, Allegheny Avenue, Hulton Road and the Hulton Bridge, and California, Washington and Pennsylvania avenues getting immediate attention.

“Like every other community in the region that must attend to snow events, Oakmont’s roads are prioritized based on traffic patters, grade, etc.,” Fodi said. “Anyone who truly cannot wait for roads to be reasonably passable should adjust their personal commute schedule accordingly.”

The National Weather Service said more than 9 inches of snow fell in the Pittsburgh area between Wednesday and Thursday morning.

Up to 9.4 inches here at the forecast office as of 2 AM.
Still some light snow falling. ?️

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) December 17, 2020

Some areas saw upwards of 11 inches of snow.

We'd like to thank everyone for giving us your snowfall reports over the past two days! This information is valuable to many entities, and helps us now and into the future!

Without further ado, here is a map charting unofficial snowfall accumulations across the region. pic.twitter.com/NocU7NZ7Nm

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) December 17, 2020

Carrie DelRosso, councilwoman and public works chair, said the department did a great job responding throughout the storm.

“Our public works crews expeditiously cleared streets despite how much snow we accumulated,” she said. “Grateful to have them put some overtime in to keep our streets and steep hills safe for drivers during the holiday season. If streets were missed, I ask homeowners to contact the borough office so our staff can make notes for further snowfalls.”

The borough is just short of 2 square miles with a business district above and below the railroad tracks.

Oakmont officials send out text alerts and posts information about incoming inclement weather on the borough website.

One of the recent alerts requested residents to refrain from on-street parking to allow plows easier access to areas.

A post on the website about snow removal had tips for shoveling, such as taking it slow and stretching before you begin, push the snow rather than lift it and do not work to the point of exhaustion.

People can text “Oakmont” to 63975 to be added to its text alert system.

Fodi said Oakmont spent about $95,000 for salt purchases so far this year, including part of last winter.

The borough has about 1,500 tons of salt in storage.

“It’s typically around 900 tons in storage, but due to the lack of winter events (last season) we didn’t need to treat roads as often as usual,” Fodi said. “Historically, we provide a request estimate of 1,200 to the South Hills Council of Governments Purchasing Alliance. The contract sets a minimum and maximum purchasing amount and the borough typically orders within the contract mandates.”

Oakmont still must purchase an additional 600 tons of salt by the end of this year, as per the contract.

SHACOG Executive Director Lou Gorski said about 100 communities, including Oakmont and Plum, are involved in the purchasing alliance.

Participants submit estimates of how much salt their towns might need to SHACOG, which then puts out a nationwide competitive opportunity for companies and selects the best bid.

“It is a joint effort from all the participating municipalities in the program,” Gorski said. “The goal is to present a volume to the market that will produce a good price.”

Communities are required to purchase at least 80% of their estimate, and get a price lock of up to 125% of their estimate, Gorski said. Estimates vary depending on need and size of the community.

The rate for the 2019-20 winter season was about $82 per ton. The 2020-21 winter rate is just under $79 per ton. The company awarded the latest SHACOG rock salt contract was Cargill.

DelRosso said she is not sure how much salt was used so far this winter, but is confident the manager will make sure the borough will not run out.

“Mr. Fodi has a very good handle on this and has budgeted appropriately for the upcoming 2021 snow season,” DelRosso said.