By Officer Jenni Eby
Wyoming’s Department of Public Safety
Rhis week’s Traffic Tuesday question was about snow plows. Do you know what year the first snowplow designed to be used with motor equipment built?
A. 1898
B. 1905
C. 1913
D. 1920
The answer is 1913. in New York City. The Good Roads Machinery Company is unofficially credited with creating the first snowplow for the very specific standards of the New York City Cleaning Bureau.
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
With the winter weather comes the snowplows, which already have been traveling down the streets of the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood.
With the snow, city officials from both Wyoming and Kentwood have been working to remind residents of winter snowplowing guidelines and street parking rules.
For both cities, There is an order to when the streets are plowed. Usually major streets, such as 44th Street, 28th Street, 54th Street, are plowed first. Collector streets such as Stauffer Avenue in Kentwood, are plowed next. Streets in the subdivision and cul-de-sacs and stub streets are last.
To help with plowing, both the cities have parking rules for the winter.
City of Wyoming Winter Parking
The City of Wyoming’s odd/even parking rule went into effect on Dec. 1 and runs until March 31. Residents parking on the street are asked to park on the side with odd number ending addresses (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) on odd number days and on even days (0, 2, 4, 6, 8), the side with addresses ending in even numbers. Those living in cul-de-sacs may park on the street on even days.
Cars must be parked on the correct side from midnight to 7 p.m. with residents encouraged to move their cars to the correct side between 7 p.m. and midnight.
The odd/even parking rule is enforced by the city. The Wyoming Department of Public Service responded to around 11,000 calls on odd/even parking, writing more than 1,000 tickets in 2019. First time offenders are warned or given a ticket.
City of Kentwood Winter Parking
The City of Kentwood’s winter parking went into effect Nov. 15. Cars may not be parked on the streets from 1 – 8 a.m. until March 31. Additionally, parking is not allowed on the streets when it could make it difficult for the snow plows to get through.
Clear those fire hydrants
Both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood are asking residents to help keep fire hydrants near their homes or businesses clear of snow. It is recommended keeping snow and ice at least three get away from hydrants on all sides.
According to local fire department officials, having hydrants clear of snow and ice saves firefighters time when dealing with a fire.
Keeping the Sidewalks Cleared
The City of Wyoming does have a contractor who clears the sidewalks when there is two or more inches. This is done at night. Wyoming property owners are asked to help keep the sidewalks clean of any obstructions.
In Kentwood, the city does clear it is the property owners responsibilities to clear the sidewalk when there is two or more inches of snow.
