Public Works

In an effort to keep our roads and public areas more attractive and safe, Bernards Township participates in the State funded Clean Communities Program. As part of this, the Mayor and Township Committee recently established the Adopt-A-Road program.

The Adopt-A-Road program allows organizations and individuals to join the Township in producing safe, attractive, litter-free roadways within our communities. The organizations help teach their groups about a clean community as well as lowering the cost of litter removal by the Township.

This waste management strategy can also be made available to groups that wish to clean up public property other than Township roads. For example, groups may choose to clean a stream or drainage way. Township parks, open spaces and Green Acre parcels are other examples of public land that may be adopted.

In return for services, Bernards Township will fabricate and erect a sign that identifies the program and organization adopting an area or road. To find out more and enlist your organization or club, email us or call the Public Works Department @ 908.204.3084.

Few public works activities are as visible as cleaning streets of snow and ice and ensuring safe roadway conditions for vehicles and pedestrians. Not only is this activity visible but also it produces a practical benefit. A 1992 study by Marquette University concluded, "88.3% of all injury accidents during winter storms can be avoided simply by deicing roadways".

With this in mind, the Bernards Township Committee in 1992 adopted its Emergency Plan for Ice Control and Snow Removal. This was updated in 1997 along with the Department of Public Works Snow Plowing & Ice Control Operations and Procedures Manual.

Our goal is simply to provide safe pavement by cleaning all snow and ice as soon as possible during and after storms. Some of the benefits of this high maintenance standard are:

• Traffic keeps moving.
• Business and peoples daily routines are minimally affected.
• There are fewer accidents and injuries.
• Emergency vehicles get through.

We attempt to accomplish our goal by a proactive approach to anticipating conditions, rapid response and full use of appropriate equipment, material and methods. Routes are set up geographically with priority set on high volume streets, intersections, slopes and other problematic areas. Deicers, primarily salt, are used regularly in a sensible application. At times other environmentally safe additives are used to enhance the deicing ability of salt at lower temperatures.

If you have any questions, please email us or call 908-204-3084 during regular business hours. During storms you may leave a message at 908-204-3087. Extreme emergencies such as accidents, injuries requiring medical attention or imminent hazards may be reported by dialing 911.

When wood chips are available they are stockpiled and can be picked-up at the Pill Hill Recycling Center. Best availability would be in the Fall.