Notice to West Caldwell Residents
Implementation of Salt Brine Anti-Icing Program

December 19, 2011

The Township of West Caldwell’s Department of Public Works will be utilizing a new, state-of-the-art salt brine application process this winter to enhance the control of icing on targeted roadways and walkways. Salt brine will be applied by a Public Works vehicle equipped with a 500-gallon salt brine tank. Initially, the use of this salt brine technology will occur in selected areas for evaluation prior to being deployed Township-wide.  

Salt brine is applied in liquid form, and can be more evenly distributed than traditional road salt.  Pre-treated roads may appear white following application of the brine solution.  After the salt solution is applied, it’s possible for up to three-quarters of an inch of new-fallen snow to melt immediately. The brine may also be applied several hours or days before a predicted winter storm, and can provide anti-icing value by remaining on the pavement for several days.

Some advantages of this new application method are to reduce salt usage and allow for a more effective pre-treatment of roadways before inclement weather arrives.  In addition, the brine can be applied during normal work hours, which reduces the need for overtime.  Traditional road salt application will be necessary at times, and the Department of Public Works continues to have the capability and equipment to handle this.  Salt Brine has been successfully used in many areas in the region to improve safety conditions for motorists and pedestrians and has proven to be very effective in pre-storm planning and treatment.

The Township of West Caldwell is excited to implement this innovative snow and ice control process as part of its ongoing winter maintenance strategy.  West Caldwell’s Department of Public Works will continue to manage snow removal throughout the Township, and expects the addition of salt brine to be a positive enhancement in the overall operation.

TOWNSHIP OF WEST CALDWELL

Final Storm Cleanup Update 12-09-2011

We are pleased to report that as of Tuesday, December 6th, all streets in West Caldwell have been cleared of downed branches following the unusual October snowstorm.  Residents are advised that from this point forward, the Township’s collection of yard waste will return to customary methods.

• The Township’s leaf compost site is now closed to public use
• Any yard waste generated by landscapers or tree contractors must be removed from the property by the contractor
• Residents who do not utilize a landscaper for leaf removal must bag their leaves for recycling and place the bags at the curb on normal collection days
• It is a violation of local ordinances to pile leaves in the street and it is a violation of local ordinances and state statutes to dump leaves into storm water catch basins
• Branches can either be cut and placed in garbage cans, or bundled in reasonable sizes no more than four feet in length and placed at the curb on normal collection days

Residents should also be aware that there are still quite a few broken limbs, “hangers”, in tree tops.  The West Caldwell Property Maintenance Ordinance requires that property owners remove dead and or dying limbs or trees from their property.  The West Caldwell Department of Public Works (DPW) has been surveying the town to identify and remove “hangers” from township trees.  If you observe a broken limb or “hanger” that appears to be a danger to vehicular or pedestrian traffic, please report the address to the DPW at 973-226-2300.  A representative of the DPW will investigate to determine if the tree is on township property.
We would like to thank all West Caldwell residents for their assistance and their patience during the cleanup following this extraordinary storm.