Snow and Ice Policy

Adopted 3/5/25

Introduction

This Snow & Ice Policy is established by the Town of Princeton to provide a uniform understanding of the priorities and operations procedures for winter snow and ice removal.

The Princeton Highway Department’s primary objective is to remove snow and ice from the public roadways as safely, efficiently, cost effectively, and environmentally responsibly as possible to keep roadways passable and to limit impacts of winter road maintenance pollutants on the environment. This Policy outlines best management practices to achieve an acceptable level of safety balanced with costs and minimization of environmental impacts of pollutants such as chlorides and sand.

The Department is responsible for snow and ice removal for over 80 miles of public roadways and all municipal parking lots. Municipal Lots include the Town Hall Campus, Krashes Fieldhouse, Sawyer Field, Station 2, Thomas Prince Elementary School and the Center School. The Highway Department is also responsible for the removal of snow from all sidewalks.

Many factors determine the Town’s response to a snow or ice event including the forecast, timing, intensity and duration of the storm, along with the temperatures before, during and after the storm. All these factors determine the staff time and materials required to effectively manage the snow and ice removal for each storm. The Highway Department receives requests or concerns from residents and acts on them during working hours.

Operations Procedures

Administrative Best Management Practices

The Princeton Highway Department’s regular working hours are Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. During the winter months these hours may vary during periods of storm preparation, response and clean up.

The Highway Department’s snow and ice operations procedures consist of three administrative phases:

Beginning of the Storm (Notification and Anti-Icing)

Highway Department drivers are mobilized when:

- The Highway Superintendent directs them, based on imminent storm arrival.
- The Police Department notifies the Highway Department of hazardous road conditions, specifying the location(s) of the hazardous conditions. The Police Department is primarily responsible for notifying the Highway Superintendent of storm conditions outside of the Highway Department’s working hours.
- The Fire or Ambulance service requests assistance from the Highway Department in order to respond to a public safety emergency.

Public Safety emergency calls are given top priority.

Prior to the commencement of a storm and/or once a storm begins, depending on the expected intensity and duration of the event, the Highway Department initiates anti-icing operations (sanding and salting) first on the main roads, connectors, hills and school bus routes (if school is in session), and last, if deemed necessary by the Highway Superintendent, on residential roads and cul-de-sacs. Anti-icing operations prevent the snow from becoming compacted and frozen to the road surface.

During the Storm (Plowing Operations)

Plowing operations begin when a minimum of two (2) inches of snow have accumulated on the ground. The main roads are plowed by larger trucks on pre-determined routes, while the residential roads and cul-de-sacs are plowed on pre-determined routes by smaller trucks. Public Safety Complex emergency vehicle bays are plowed when plows leave the Highway Garage at the start of plowing operations, and at regular (2-4) inch accumulation intervals thereafter.

During the storm, Highway Department personnel work “around-the-clock” if necessary, to keep the roads open and passable.

After the Storm (De-icing & Clean up)

Once the snowfall has stopped and roads are cleared of snow, post-storm sanding and salting commences if necessary, based on weather conditions. Plows push back the amassed snow at corners and intersections, to provide safer visibility. If deemed necessary, plows will push snow banks further back along roadways during working hours as manpower and equipment are available.

Once all public roads are clear, the school and municipal lots, are cleared of snow and sanded during working hours, if necessary. Sidewalks are also cleared during regular working hours.

Snow and Ice Control Material Selection, Storage, Application, and Disposal Best Management Practices

Material Selection

Various products are available for snow and ice treatment, including: salt, sand, liquid calcium or magnesium chloride, salt brine, liquid blends, and pretreated salts. The Highway Department will select the material(s) to be used for winter road maintenance based on: efficacy, efficiency, availability, and cost of material(s); an analysis of best materials for specific weather conditions—such as based on temperature and moisture; and other technical considerations such as with regard to storage requirements/needs, equipment availability, product limitations, and environmental concerns.

As available, the Highway Department will utilize pavement surface temperature sensors in conjunction with current and expected weather conditions so as to help inform the best material selection, application rates, and snow and ice removal methods.

Material Storage

Salt will be stored in accordance with Massachusetts statutory law, Massachusetts regulations, and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection guidance on best management practices.[1]
Sand that is mixed with salt will be stored in a similar manner to salt storage. Outside storage of sand will be stored with runoff collection/containment so as to best minimize waste and infiltration to storm drains, catch basins and/or waterways.

Material Application

Carefully calibrated equipment will be used to spread a measured amount of snow and ice control materials early in a storm, and as necessary throughout, to prevent snow and ice from bonding to the road.

While maintaining public safety, the Highway Department will consider reduction in material applications and/or alternative/less environmentally-damaging materials to apply near environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands.

Highway Department personnel will be trained as to equipment operation and application rates.

Material Disposal

The Highway Department will handle, store, dispose and/or reuse sand collected in street sweepings in accordance with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s requirements for managing Street Sweepings (Policy #BAW-18-001)[2].
Snow should not be plowed or pushed into streams, brooks, wetlands or other surface waters or onto storm drainage/treatment systems. Snow piles should not block storm drains. The Highway Department will dispose of any collected snow (which may be contaminated with road salt, sand, litter, and automotive pollutants) at appropriate upland snow disposal locations in a manner recommended by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Snow Disposal Guidance.

Equipment Best Management Practices

Inventory

The Highway Department will keep an inventory of trucks and material spreading equipment.

Maintenance

The Highway Department will maintain all equipment to maximize efficiency, effectiveness and longevity. Equipment maintenance will include routine maintenance of the sander chain, spinner, and associated hydraulic system.

Calibration

The Highway Department will calibrate (or confirm correct calibration) (to know how much material is being spread per lane mile) for each piece of equipment annually and after any work performed on the equipment that affects the spreader operation. Benefits to proper calibration include cost control, improved level of service, and minimizing impact to the environment.

Rinsing and Washing

As feasible, rinsing and washing of trucks and equipment should minimize use of water and take place utilizing the following options: (1) commercial car wash; or (2) indoor vehicle washing whenever possible with floor drains connected to a tight tank; or (3) if necessary outdoor rinsing only to eliminate the discharge of detergent, degreasers, and other pollutants; or (4) if necessary, outdoor washing with phosphate-free detergent only on upland, impervious surfaces with sediment and runoff controls to prevent contamination and stormwater runoff to storm drains, catch basins, and/or surface waters.

Training Best Management Practices

All Highway Department staff will be trained with regard to all best management practices outlined in this Policy.

The Highway Department will keep abreast of developments with regard to snow and ice control best management practices and technology so as to incorporate such developments, where feasible, to maximize safety and to minimize financial costs and environmental impact.

Departure from Policy

The Town recognizes that storm conditions may be so unusual or unexpected that a departure from these general policies must be authorized. Therefore, when conditions warrant, the Highway Superintendent may order a departure from these policies when the Highway Superintendent determines conditions necessitate such action.

Other Considerations as Related to Resident Responsibility and Private Property

By-laws and Restrictions

Town of Princeton by-laws prohibit anyone “other than an employee in the service of the Town or any employee in the service of an independent contractor acting for the Town” from piling, pushing, or plowing snow or ice onto a public way so as to impede the flow of traffic on such way. The penalty for violation is $150.00. The Police Department, in consultation with the Highway Department, enforces this by-law.

(Town of Princeton General By-law Chapter X, Section 4. Adopted at the Special Town Meeting, June 22, 1987.)

Residents are also asked to not discharge sump-pump water into the street during the winter because it can cause dangerous icing.

Plow Damage

The Town’s right-of-way is often up to 50 feet wide, and in most cases, extends 10 to 15 feet beyond the edge of a paved or gravel road. Anything placed within the Town’s right-of-way is placed there at the owner’s risk. The Town is not responsible for damage to private property (mailboxes, recycle and trash containers, fences, steps, lawns, sprinkler heads, trees, shrubs or other items) located within the Town’s right-of-way and does not reimburse for, or repair damage to these items due to snow plowing operations.

Mailboxes should be secured and set back at the maximum allowable distance from the roadside consistent with Post Office regulations, and reflective stakes should be placed along the edge of private property to protect lawns and landscaping. Recycle and trash containers should be placed in clear view away from snowbanks, and sufficiently off the road to avoid damage.

Private Roads and Driveways

The Town’s snow & ice operations personnel (while on Town time) and equipment are prohibited from sanding, plowing or otherwise clearing private property including private roads, driveways, walks, etc.

Recommendations for Property Owners

It is the responsibility of residents to remove snow from their driveways. Residents should place snow (off the public way) at the “downstream” side of their driveway from the direction of the snowplow to help keep larger amounts of snow from being deposited back into the driveway during plowing operations. Residents may want to wait for the street and sidewalk (if applicable), to be cleared and opened to its full width before clearing the entrance of their driveways. Rocks or large objects should not be placed on the road edge. This may cause plow damage, vehicle damage or operator injury. Residents should shovel out the fire hydrant nearest their house for their personal safety, and should keep nearby catch basins clear of snow and ice to prevent street flooding during heavy rains or snow melting periods.

Children should not be permitted to play in snowbanks at or near the edge of the road. Residents using roads for pedestrian access or recreation during plowing operations should wear reflective clothing at all times.

Concerns regarding snow plowing operations should be directed to the Highway Superintendent. The Highway Superintendent shall forward concerns to the Administrator’s office for notification purposes. Public Safety emergency calls require priority response. Other concerns and requests are verified and responded to by the Highway Superintendent in order of submission, during working hours after plowing operations are finished.

Patience should be exercised during snow plowing operations. Princeton’s 80 miles of roadway, and all municipal lots are maintained by limited staff and equipment. Every public way shall be cleared as safely, efficiently, environmentally responsible and cost effectively as possible.