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Wednesday,
November 24, 2010
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Town issues
guidelines on snow removal.
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Town issues
guidelines on snow removal. EverythingWestport.com Wednesday,
November 24, 2010 photos/EverythingWestport.com
except as noted Westport Highway Surveyor,
Jack Sisson, outlines the town's snow and ice removal policy. Guidelines
explain how the Highway Department handles snow plowing during and after a
storm, damages to a resident's property, and assistance to private property
owners. Highway Department
Snow & Ice Policy Snowplowing
Clearing of the
snow and response time involves a number of factors including the timing of
the storm, the type of snow, if it is fluffy dry snow or extremely wet, the
amount of vehicular traffic on the roadways at the time of the storm, which
will affect how the snow gets packed along the roadways, and the time of the
year the storm occurs. Also affecting the snow is the duration of the
snowstorm. Such things as the
rate and accumulation of snowfall, temperature, time of day or night, wind
direction and velocity and duration are all factors that interact to create a
unique character for each storm with the result that no two storms are the
same. The Highway
Department, with the much needed and appreciated cooperation of the Police
Department, will respond to slippery roadway conditions as soon as possible.
Please be advised that it is illegal to deposit snow on the sidewalk and
roadways. Residents are requested to avoid parking on the roadway during all
snowplowing operations. Assistance to Private Property The employee may
if a hazard exists, notify the Westport Police Department of the hazardous
condition. Under no circumstances will a town employee use a town vehicle to
perform any snow removal or ice control operation on private or commercial
property, nor will the employee be allowed to use town equipment on his or
her own personal property. During the Storm: Depending on the
forecast and conditions, chemical treatment may continue throughout the
storm. Town plows will begin to plow major roads after approximately 2” - 3”
of snow accumulation. Roads are plowed in the following priority: major roads
first, then secondary roads and finally minor roads and dead-ends. During a
storm our goal is to keep roads passable for emergency vehicles. After the Storm: Plows will
continue to clean and widen roadways until every road in Town has been
completed. Please be aware that it takes several hours to complete plow
operations after the snow has stopped. You may see plow trucks driving with
their plows raised or sanding trucks not spreading sand. These trucks may be
returning for fuel or sand or may be en route to their assigned areas. Clearing Your Driveway The Highway Dept.
tries to minimize the amount of snow that gets plowed into driveways. Also,
as long as there is snow in the street, the plow driver will continue to plow
the street, some of this additional snow will end up at the driveway opening.
Please know that it is the responsibility of the property owner to clear
their driveway opening. To avoid double work while clearing your driveway try
to shovel snow from your driveway after the plow has been by, and shovel the
snow to the right side of your driveway as you face the road instead of to
the left. Property Damage During the course
of operations throughout any given winter, the snow removal forces may incur
a certain amount of damage to Town and private property. If a town plow or
truck damages a mailbox through direct contact, the mailbox will be repaired
or replaced in accordance with established guidelines with a standard type
mailbox. The town cannot replace decorative mailboxes. A standard design will
be used for all mailbox replacements. A property owner who installs
decorative mailboxes does so at his/her own risk. If a town
truck damages any lawn area, they will repair the area in the spring with
loam and seed. Every attempt will
be made to provide passable roads under the severe budget constraints. All
town residents need to recognize that they will need to be patient in that
plowing, cleaning, sanding and salting will be done on a labor and budget
availability. This will result in delays in one or more of these functions.
We urge patience, caution and concern for safety. http://westport-ma.com/news/2010/11/highway_department_snow_ice_po.html
Harold J. Sisson,
Jr. Highway Surveyor - - - - - End - - - - - © 2010 Community Events
of Westport All rights reserved. EverythingWestport.com |
