WELCOME to the Borough of Somerset
ATTENTION
Please Clear Snow and Ice Away from Fire Hydrants
Residents and businesses are asked to clear snow and ice away from fire hydrants which are on or near their property. Taking a few moments to remove snow from around the hydrants ensures they are visible and accessible to responding firefighters.
"Fire hydrants serve several homes or businesses in an area. We're asking neighbors to lend a helping hand to ensure the hydrants are clear of snow."
Clear access to a fire hydrant will save precious time during an emergency. If a hydrant is buried, it can be difficult for firefighters to locate. Once located, firefighters then have to hurry to clear the snow and gain access to the hydrant while a fire continues to burn. These vital minutes are needed to bring a fire under control.
Please make sure fire hydrants are easily accessible and visible from the street. Ideally, the snow should be cleared away from three feet around the hydrant in order for firefighters to have enough room to connect the hoses.
Thank you for your cooperation
Snow Removal Policy
It is the Borough's intention to keep all of its roads plowed and salted this winter. It is our policy to plow and salt any hills and main roads, then side streets and Borough Parking lots.
It would help our snow removal efforts if citizens would try to keep from parking along the roads during heavy snow. This way we will be able to keep roads clean more efficiently.
It is almost impossible for the equipment operators not to push some snow into driveways that are already plowed. If you must plow your driveway prior to completion of the street plowing, clear an area on the side of the driveway from which the truck will approach. This provides an area for snow to unload before it reaches the driveway.
Snow and Ice Removal from Sidewalks
Ordinance Number 1146 requires all owners or occupants of property as tenants, fronting on any of the streets in the Borough of Somerset to keep the sidewalks in front of, or along said properties clear free of snow and ice. This is to help insure that pedestrians pass safely over sidewalks.
Tips on How to Protect your Water Meters 
During Winter Months, we asked that you take special care to protect your water meter from freezing. This will not only help us by not having to send an employee to repair the frozen meters, but is beneficial to you and the owner/tenant of the property are responsible for for paying for the frozen water meter and for the labor for replacing it. Some tips on preventing damage caused by frozen meters:
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Locate the meter in a place that is heated and out of the wind and weather (like a basement or crawl space).
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If the meter or water lines are not in a properly heated area, wrap your meter and water lines with insulation and/or heat tapes (Available at local hardware stores).
- In extreme cases of cold, let one of your faucets run very slowly. A slight increase in your water bill may be better than the costly task of replacing frozen meters, water pipes, or property damage.
Community Information Service
The Borough of Somerset is launching a new Community Information Service designed to deliver important and timely information to residents in our area using the latest technology.
This service, created by Nixle, LLC delivers trustworthy and important neighborhood-level public safety and community event notifications by web, e-mail, and cell phone.
Nixle is completely free, simple, and trusted.
Residents of Somerset Borough can now take advantage of Nixle! Nixle is a community information service that alerts you to public safety threats and community events via web, e-mail, and cell phone. Sign up at www.nixle.com to register. Read More >>
View current Nixle Alerts or Advisories for our area. >>
Tree Owner’s Manual
This booklet published by the United States Department of Agriculture entitled “Tree Owner’s Manual”. (3.5 MB Adobe PDF) CLICK HERE >> It is also available at the Borough Building.
It covers a variety of subjects that tree owners or potential tree owners may find beneficial. Subjects include: selecting a tree; planting instructions, maintenance; fertilizing, and tree protection.
ATTENTION: SOMERSET BOROUGH BUSINESSES
In an effort to become better connected to our businesses, the Borough of Somerset’s Community Development Department has created a page on its web site (Click to View) dedicated to keeping you better informed, making it easier for you to ask questions or to make suggestions via email.
We will have information posted concerning:
- Act 511 Taxes: Business Privilege, Mercantile, Earned Income and Local Services Tax
- Our tax collector’s contact information
- Property tax information and/or changes
- Enacted Ordinances/Resolutions for business specific matters
- Any changes to taxes or Borough policies
- Recycling Information and Reporting Forms
- Public Works: Paving schedule, road closings, etc.