Policies

Effective December 21, 2022 the St. Joseph Road Commission will issue a check in the amount of $50.00 to compensate county residents and/or business establishments for mailbox and/or post damage that occurs during Road Commission snow plowing operations along roads under its jurisdiction. If preferred, regardless of the type and size of the original mailbox, a standard metal mailbox and/or post carried in the Road Commission’s inventory, can be picked up at the Road Commission office at 20914 M-86, Centreville. Residents shall be limited to one (1) $50.00 reimbursement or mailbox and/or post replacement per winter season. For mailbox and/or post damage that occurs outside of the winter snow plowing season, the repair or replacement will be resolved at the Road Commission’s discretion. 

Mailbox Damage Claim Form

SNOW and ICE REMOVAL:

The St. Joseph County Road Commission (SJCRC) does not have a bare road policy. SJCRC’s goal is to have all roads passable within 24 hours from the end of a snowstorm. A passible road is one that allows for the flow of traffic at reduced speeds but may still be slippery.

Each snowplow driver has a designated territory, with priority given to the more heavily traveled roads. Once those are cleared, attention is given to plowing the secondary roads.   In subdivisions and the lake areas, we will send a pickup equipped with a plow to remove snow from turnarounds and tight areas that a large truck cannot clear.

In the rare instance when blizzard conditions exist, the efforts of the snowplow drivers are futile and the drivers’ safety is a concern, the crew will be pulled off the roads until conditions improve. 

USE OF SAND/SALT:

Ice control materials will be chosen and applied per the type of weather and temperature. The SJCRC may not treat the whole road but will concentrate on intersections, hills, curves, and other areas that require additional traction.

PLOWING OF DRIVEWAYS:

State law prohibits private individuals from pushing snow and slush from their driveway onto or across the traveled portion of the roadway.  Snow should also not be piled in such a way as to obstruct the motorists’ vision. 

It is advisable to pile the snow on the right side of the driveway, as you face the road.  This will minimize the snow being thrown back into the driveway, by Road Commission plows.

ABANDONED CARS:

Cars abandoned on the traveled portion of the road, or the shoulder of the road are subject to removal, if they interfere with snow removal operations.  This will be done through the Sheriff’s Department or the Michigan State Police, at the owners’ expense.

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

SJCRC will respond to all emergency situations from the Sheriff’s department. The SJCRC plowing activity is limited to a maximum of 14 continuous hours in a 24-hour period.  Start time is at the discretion of the Managing Director and depends on many factors including: the anticipated start/stop time of the storm and intensity of the snow.

Miscellaneous

Damaged Mailboxes will be replaced following the SJCRC’s Mailbox Replacement Policy. Sprinkler systems and other personal property placed in the Right-of-Way (ROW) is done at the risk of the property owner. Damage to these items is unintentional and road agencies are not held liable or responsible for any damage caused to private installations located within the public roads and/or ROW installed without a permit. The intent of the ROW is to provide room for snow storage along with other public functions.