Highway

Our Highway Department is responsible for the year-round maintenance of all town roads. They can be seen repairing road ways, trimming road side tree lines and plowing snow.

Please show all of our Highway Department driving courtesy for safety!

The Town of Ausable covers 51.1 1 sq. miles in Clinton County, and the Highway Department maintains over 66 miles of roads within the Town limits. The Town roads intersect with State, County, and Private Roads, all of which are maintained by the perspective agency, unless otherwise stated below.

PRIVATE ROAD

Those individuals that live on private roads receive no services to maintain, nor can Town vehicles access privately own property. In case of emergency, and as directed by Police or Ambulance Corp a road may be cleared for emergency services to gain access at the Highway Superintendents discretion.

Patrick AKEY

Superintendent of Highways
Garage (518) 834-3003
Home 518-834-7253
Cell 518-569-3555

TOWN OF AUSABLE ROADS

The primary responsibility of the Highway Department is to maintain the Town Road and respond to the needs of the residents. In the winter, the roads are plowed and remain clear of any snow accumulation. Springtime culverts are cleared, drainage issues identified and roads are evaluated for any winter damage. Summer is the optimum time for road surface and drainage maintenance; roads have the opportunity to cure and the drainage construction changes monitored. Winter preparations can vary from year to year, but tree trimming and shoulder improvements continue until the first snowfall.

Maintenance of Town Roads consists of but is not limited to: Road surface reconstruction and crack sealing, road shoulder repairs, pot hole repairs, signage, drainage within the town right-of-way or town easements, road marking (line striping) , site distance improvements, tree trimming and mowing along town roads right- of- ways and snow removal.

SNOW REMOVAL

Residents, please follow the Town snow ordinance prohibiting vehicles parking on the road during a storm. This will save both the highway, and police departments from additional time and fuel cost to address the situation and clear the road.

There is an increase in the number of residents using private contractors to plow driveways. When plowing a residential driveway, it is unlawful for the contractor or resident to push the snow into the Town roadway/or right-of-way. If an accident would occur from this practice it would not only make the town liable, but also the resident who hired the contractor. Please advise your contractor at the start of the season that the Town will enforce the law and those individuals plowing snow into the roadway/or right-of-way will receive a summons.

The Highway Department and Police Town/State work together to ensure the safety of its residents. Emergency situations and conditions are handled in a timely manner, with communication and cooperation from its residents. PLEASE SLOW DOWN IN INCLEMENT WEATHER- A few minutes late beats the alternative.

MAILBOXES DAMAGED DURING SNOW REMOVAL

During and after significant snow storms, the Highway Department, in the course of plowing, receives phone calls regarding damage to mailboxes, either from snow plows directly or from the force of snow being thrown by the plows. If such damage is indeed caused by snow removal, It is not done intentionally but is an unfortunate consequence of snow removal.

As far as the Highway Department replacing damaged mailboxes, it must be pointed out that there is no statutory or legal authority which grants a property owner or resident along a public highway any right to place a mailbox in a highway right-of-way. That the mailbox is on town, county or state right-of-way is a courtesy to the postal service. Thus, when the necessity of keeping highways open, conflicts with the individuals reception of the mail, the latter must stand aside. The owner might even be compelled to remove the box under Highway Law #319.

From past experience, we have found that plastic mail boxes do not withstand the abuse of snow from the plows hitting them and are not recommended. Please check your mailbox for possible repairs. If your mailbox is damaged because of a rotten post or rusted box, the town will not repair it. Mailbox posts with fancy supports are not recommended as they stick down under the box and give the wing plow something to get hold of. A standard metal mailbox mounted directly on top of a treated 4×4 post placed 41 inches – 45 inches high to the bottom of the mailbox is the most cost effective and best solution to maintaining your mailbox during the winter seasons. If your mailbox is knocked down during the winter season we recommend the temporary use of a 4×4 wooden post and a metal mailbox cemented into a 5 gallon bucket. This will allow movement of the mailbox out of the town right of way during inclement weather.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS