As part of our Highway Maintenance Program, we have identified a need to perform Tree and Brush Trimming within the road Rights-of-Way. This work will be done by Township personnel Further, we want you to understand our process, though cost efficient, is not a pruning type of tree trimming; it is a very rough-cut. Some work will be done by hand, however, most will be done by a Large Brush Cutter.

Should you prefer to do this work yourself, please contact this office so we can make sure your time line meets our schedule so the work can proceed. This work is necessary to provide clearance from the edge of pavement to the tree and brush line. Authority for this work is granted under Ohio Revised Code Section 5543.14. This section allows the Township to perform tree and brush cutting or removal upon proper notice to affected properties.

Trees and larger limbs that are of fire wood quality or other value may be placed at the edge of the Right-of-Way line for your use if you so desire. Your cooperation in this matter shall be appreciated. The clearing will provide for a safer and more efficient roadway.

Before installing a new driveway, a drive permit is required. If you live on a Township Road, call Eddy Ambrose (740-965-3517).
Click for permit form. If you live on a County Road, call the County Building Department at 740-833-2200.

One of the townships main budgetary items is maintaining the 28 miles of township owned roadways.  One of the single most destructive forces on a roadway is water.  In the winter, water can seep thru cracks in the road surface or migrate under the road from along the edges of the pavement (potentially from backed up ditches) where it freezes, thaws and refreezes repeatedly.  The expansion from the freeze breaks up the road way, the wet subsurface during the thaw cycle gets softer thus weakening the ability for the road “base” under the pavement to carry the weight of vehicular traffic.  As a result, the pavement surface “pumps” up and down under the weight of the traffic and quickly breaks apart the asphalt surface.  In the spring, the freeze thaw cycle, combined with typically wetter conditions, can be the most distractive time of the year.  This is why we drop weight limits on our roadways from February thru June.  Because the roadway and the ditch system work in unison, the roadway ditches are maintained by the same agency responsible for the roadway itself.  Township roads and ditches are maintained by the township, county roads by the county and so forth.  The roadway ditches are designed solely for the purpose of draining water away from the base of the roadway, thus allowing the road base to dry much quicker.  The dryer road base reduces surface degradation thus extending the life of the road in turn reducing maintenance and repair costs.

In order to accomplish this, we must keep the ditches properly maintained and free of excessive vegetation and debris.  For this reason, our township is responsible for maintain your roadway and ditches as a roadway “System”.  Residents may mow their roadway ditches if safe to do without any permit, however residents are not permitted to DIRECTLY discharge water from within their property into any roadway ditch.  This included sump pump and down spouting conductor lines. The roadway ditches are not designed for the personal drainage of wet areas within any property nor are they there to help drain your property.  Water not intended or designed to be discharged into the roadway could over load the ditch causing destruction of the roadway itself.

As part of our roadway maintenance program, periodically, we will need to perform Tree and brush trimming within the right-of-way.  WE DO NOT NEED YOUR APPROVAL TO PERFORM THIS WORK, even if the trees are on your property but are overhanging the ditch or road surface. Our Authority to perform this work is granted under the Ohio revised code Section 5543.14.

This work will be performed by township personnel.  Though cost effective for the Township, this is not a “pruning” type of trim; it is a very rough cut and much more for utility than beautification.  While some work may be done by hand, most work is done with a large brush cutter head leaving a tattered tree look. Larger limbs and Firewood quality byproduct may be left at the edge right of way line for your use if you so desire.  Your cooperation in this process is much appreciated.

SHOULD YOU PREFER TO DO THIS WORK YOURSELF, PLEASE CONTACT US EARLY IN THE SPRING SO WE CAN VERIFY YOUR WORK TIME LINE MEETS OUR SCHEDULE.

The purpose for performing this work is three-fold.  First, it keeps the trees in check so that we can head off future safety issues related to limbs being dropped onto the road surface or blocking views for the traveling public.  Secondly, the trees often cast a shadow over the roadway that, in the winter months, block the sun.  This can keep the sun from aiding in the snow melt/evaporation process, thus promoting the above-mentioned freeze thaw cycle therefore advancing maintenance issue on our township roads.  Third, the shaded portion of the roadway surface will tend to remain icy longer due to no sun reaching the surface of the road.  This can result in areas of Black ice making the roadway less consistent and predictable in icy conditions.

If the base of the tree is within the right-of-way, it would be the responsibility of the township to pay for any maintenance and/or remove the tree.  If the base of the tree is outside of the right-of-way but the limbs overhang the ditch and/or road surface, the homeowner is responsible for maintenance and/or removal of the tree. The property owner also assumes all liability for the damage or injury caused should the tree from your property, or a portion of the tree, fall on the roadway surface and cause injury.

Mailbox Installation Guidance

This guidance is recommended for new mailbox installations in Porter Township.  The face of the mailbox should be at least 18” back from the edge of the paved or gravel road surface.  We recommend calling 811 before you dig the hole for the post.  Per United States Postal Service (USPS) instructions, the bottom of the mailbox should be 41” to 45” above ground level.  This keeps the mailbox at the perfect height for the mail carrier when they are delivering mail from their truck.  Please mark both sides of the mailbox or post with the address number.  Ensure the mailbox is rigid enough to withstand the impact of snow coming off the snowplow.

Damage during Snow Removal Operations

The snowplow operator must be going fast enough for the snow to come off the edge of the plow blade.  We understand that snow removal operations can sometimes cause damage to objects in the road right of way, especially if the snow is wet and heavy.  If your mailbox is damaged during snow removal operations, please call one of the Township Trustees listed on our website at https://portertwp.org/.

First, we will determine which agency is responsible for snow removal on your road (i.e., ODOT, Delaware County, Porter Township).  Contacts for ODOT and Delaware County are provided below.  If your road is determined to be Porter Township’s responsibility for snow removal, we will coordinate a mutual time for a Township Trustee to visit your residence to inspect the damage.  If it is determined that you are eligible for compensation, the Township and the homeowner will come to an agreement for repair, not to exceed $50.  Porter Township is not liable for repair costs if any of the following conditions are found:

• Post material is unserviceable or rotten
• Attachment hardware is rusted or worn out
• Mailbox is rusted or worn out
• Monument or Designer Mailboxes

*Homeowners are responsible for maintaining serviceable mailboxes*

Contacts:

ODOT District #6 (740) 833-8000

Delaware County Engineer (740) 833-2400