It is the goal of the Kearny DPW to provide timely, efficient and cost-effective winter maintenance, snow plowing and ice control on the roads of Kearny for the safety and benefit of Kearny residents and the general motoring public.

The Kearny DPW also removes snow from areas around municipal buildings, walking paths in parks and sidewalks adjacent to municipal property for the safety of pedestrians.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the DPW plow and salt my street?

The DPW will plow municipal streets when snow accumulations reach and exceed two inches. Salt will be applied to streets on an as-needed basis when snow and ice conditions warrant.

Why is snow pushed into my driveway by snowplows?

As the plows pass driveways, snow will roll off the edge of the side-discharge snowplow into the driveways, an unavoidable result.

I live on a snow emergency street, what should I do with my car while I’m on vacation?

Residents who do not have off-street parking facilities such as a garage or driveway, need to make arrangements to either have their car moved by a friend or neighbor, or have their car stored in a garage during vacations.

Is there street sweeping during a snowstorm?

Street sweeping is suspended during snowstorms. Sweeping resumes when snow and ice have melted from the curbline.

Do the Senior Citizen Buses run during a snowstorm?

For information about Senior Citizen Buses, call the Kearny Health Dept. at 997-0600

Is there garbage and recycling collections during snowstorms?

Garbage and recycling collections continue during snowstorms. However, depending on the severity and duration of the storms, collections may be delayed.

Are all streets in Kearny under the jurisdiction of the DPW?

In the residential portion of Kearny, Passaic Avenue and Schuyler Avenue are maintained and plowed by the Hudson County Road Department. In South Kearny, Fish House Road and a portion of Central Avenue are also plowed by Hudson County plows. The Belleville Pike is plowed and salted by N.J. Department of Transportation plows or their subcontractors.

Procedures Relating to Snow Plowing

When it begins to snow, the DPW has the ability to respond with 7 vehicles equipped with salt spreaders and a total of 15 vehicles equipped with snowplows. Depending on the condition of the roads, rock salt is applied until snow accumulates to around 2 inches in depth. At that time plowing begins to maintain the lanes of travel on municipal streets. Plowing continues until the snow stops. At that time clean up begins and plow operators are instructed to plow as close as possible to the curbline in order to obtain proper road width. This helps open up catch basins for melting snow to drain.

Salting

Kearny streets are salted on an as-needed basis when snow and ice conditions warrant.

Shoveling Sidewalks

It is the property owner’s or tenant’s responsibility to remove snow and ice form the public sidewalks adjacent to his or her property within 12 daylight hours after the snow/ice has accumulated. In the event that the snow or ice is frozen to hard to shovel, the property owner or tenant must make the sidewalk safe by using sand or other abrasives. Failure to comply will result in a ticket being issued for each day the sidewalk remains snow or ice covered.

If the property owner or tenant fails to clean the sidewalk of snow/ice, the sidewalk will be cleaned by municipal employees and the cost of their labor and equipment will be assessed against the property owner and collected by the Tax Collector.

Snow Emergency Streets

Town Ordinance 7-7.3 prohibits parking on certain designated streets whenever snow has accumulated so that is covers the roadway. These streets have been designated as “snow emergency” streets because they are primary streets used by police, fire and emergency squad vehicles to respond to emergencies. These streets must be kept as wide as possible and DPW plows try to plow to the curbline to get as much snow as possible off these streets. Signs have been posted on these streets and vehicles parked in violation of this ordinance are subject to being ticketed and towed.

Snow emergency streets are as follows:

• Kearny Avenue – entire length
• Bergen Avenue – from Passaic Ave. to DPW Facility
• Davis Ave from Midland Ave to Dukes Street
• Elm St from Midland Ave to the Belleville TPK
• Belgrove Drive form Passaic Ave to Locust Ave
• Midland Ave from Belgrove Drive to Schuyler Ave
• Afton Street from Belgrove Drive to Passaic Ave