The Town has approximately 12 miles of public gravel roadways. These roadways are graded a minimum of twice per year, once in the spring, and then again in the fall. Additional grading is done on an as needed basis.

Grading results in the removal of any pot holes, wash board or rutting that may have developed, and allows us to re-establish the shape of the roadway to ensure that the roads drain properly.

Much of the sediment that finds its way into the storm water system comes from sand that is applied to the Town’s transportation system during winter snow and ice removal operations. To ensure the public’s safety during the winter months, application of this type of material is necessary. However, from storm water perspective, it can be harmful. To prevent these materials from entering into the storm water system, the Public Works Department sweeps the Town’s roadway twice a year, with the first sweeping beginning as early as possible in the spring while most of the sand is still on the roadway. See photos of the street sweeper to the right.

Our goal is to sweep all curbed Town streets twice a year, once in the spring, and then again in the fall. Sweeping will begin in the spring when roads are free of all ice and snow. Usually, this is around the 1st of April. It takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks to sweep all of the streets once. 

It is also necessary to periodically clean storm water drains to remove any accumulated sediment and debris. Most of these structures were constructed with a sump that provides a space inside the structure for solids to settle into instead of flowing to the discharge point. For many years, all new storm water structures have been required to incorporate this feature.