Snow and Ice Procedures

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.

Beginning of the Storm

Mobilization

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. 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.

Anti-Icing

• Begins prior to the commencement of a storm and/or once a storm begins, depending on the expected intensity and duration of the storm
• First the main roads, connectors, hills and school bus routes (if school is in session) are sanded and salted
• Next, if the Highway Superintendents thinks it is necessary, residential roads and cul-de-sacs are treated
• Anti-icing operations prevent the snow from becoming compacted and frozen to the road surface

During the Storm

• Plowing begins 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
• Residential roads and cul-de-sacs are plowed on pre-determined routes by smaller trucks
• 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 roads are cleared of snow, if necessary, post-storm sanding and salting begins
• Plows push back the snow at corners and intersections to improve visibility.
• If necessary, plows will push snow banks further back along roadways during working hours
• The school and municipal lots are cleared of snow and sanded, if necessary, during working hours
• Sidewalks are also cleared during regular working hours