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Snow & Ice Removal
The harsh winters of the northeast environment challenges the department to provide safe and efficient roadway movement to residents and the traveling public. The Town has set a standard to assure that emergency vehicles can navigate through treacherous weather.
The department attacks the winter event before the first snowflake arrives by applying a salt brine to the road surface to inhibit the buildup of snow and/or ice. This impedes the effect of heavy snowfalls and allows the department to properly and efficiently gear up for the rest of the storm. The department strives to maintain less than three inches of snow on the road and to plow snow from the travel lanes within eight hours after the snow stops falling.
In addition, in time of heavy accumulations, snow will be removed from critical areas within 48 hours. That snow is hauled to the leaf pen until the Spring thaw melts the snow away. Once accumulation begins, the arterial roads and snow emergency routes are plowed first followed by hills and intersections and all primary neighborhood streets and other residential streets. The whole process gets repeated as needed, until the event has passed and the roads are cleared.
In the event a snow emergency is declared, no parking is allowed on the streets and the town will designate free parking areas. The Town takes pride in its snow and ice fighting operations as they work around the clock to clear the roads, working tirelessly until the job is completed and all roads are passable. It usually takes approximately eight hours to plow and/or treat every Town road once per three inches of snowfall.
To help make a storm event easier on residents and the highway snow fighters who are working for their safety and convenience, please take the following into consideration.
Snow & Ice Procedure
The department attacks the winter event before the first snowflake arrives by applying a salt brine to the road surface to inhibit the buildup of snow and/or ice. This impedes the effect of heavy snowfalls and allows the department to properly and efficiently gear up for the rest of the storm. The department strives to maintain less than three inches of snow on the road and to plow snow from the travel lanes within eight hours after the snow stops falling.
In addition, in time of heavy accumulations, snow will be removed from critical areas within 48 hours. That snow is hauled to the leaf pen until the Spring thaw melts the snow away. Once accumulation begins, the arterial roads and snow emergency routes are plowed first followed by hills and intersections and all primary neighborhood streets and other residential streets. The whole process gets repeated as needed, until the event has passed and the roads are cleared.
In the event a snow emergency is declared, no parking is allowed on the streets and the town will designate free parking areas. The Town takes pride in its snow and ice fighting operations as they work around the clock to clear the roads, working tirelessly until the job is completed and all roads are passable. It usually takes approximately eight hours to plow and/or treat every Town road once per three inches of snowfall.
How Residents Can Help
To help make a storm event easier on residents and the highway snow fighters who are working for their safety and convenience, please take the following into consideration.
On the Road
- If possible, take mass transit. The Town targets routes taken by pedestrians to the train station. Fewer cars that are on the roads mean an easier time for the snow fighters resulting in clearing roads quicker.
- If you have to drive make sure you have snow tires or chains and an emergency kit. Stuck and abandoned vehicles cause you an inconvenience and make it harder to clear the roads.
- Don't rush. Take your time, remember others may be having a hard time navigating and let the plow go ahead of you. That road will be a lot easier to go up after a snow fighter has treated it.
At Home
- If you have a driveway, use it! Park your vehicles off the road so more snow can be cleared away and your vehicles are less likely to get plowed in, splashed, or hit.
- If you don't have a driveway, park as close as possible to the curb on one side of the street. Park on the even numbered side first, then after the plows go through, move it over to the other side. This way, the plows can open up your road.
- There is nothing worse than shoveling your driveway out only to turn around and watch a Town plow push it all back in. To help avoid this, stand facing the street and shovel snow to your right and not to the left or into the street.
- Property owners are responsible to clear their abutting sidewalk within 24 hours after the last snowfall.