TOWN OF HOLDEN
Resident's Guide to Snow Removal Operations and Procedures
Operational Procedures
Every snow removal event is different. Various factors contribute to each and every storm. Times of day, type of precipitation, intensity, duration, temperature (both surface and air) are all factors that determine how a particular winter event is managed by the DPW.
The DPW is staffed Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. All snow removal actions are begun and directed by the Highway Foreman. During weekends, holidays and night-time hours, the Police Department will notify the Highway Foreman of roadway conditions at which time the Foreman addresses the issue.
Residents should keep in mind that the Town of Holden DPW is responsible for over 118 miles of highway. The Town uses only its own equipment, does not hire contractors, which has proved to be a consistent means of saving tax dollars over the course of the winter. All Highway, Water/Sewer, and Buildings & Grounds personnel have predetermined plow routes and are responsible for these routes. Equipment ranges from front-end loaders, 40,000lb GVW trucks to half-ton pick-ups. Once plowing begins it continues until the storm is over. Spare drivers (available police, fire, light department and private licensed operators) are used after 24 continuous hours. Once all the streets are done, all public buildings, schools and finally sidewalks (within a prescribed distance) are cleared of snow and
sanded.
Snow removal in the Town of Holden is a definite challenge that the DPW is prepared to tackle each and every winter. Patience and understanding by the public goes a long way in making snow removal in Holden a successful undertaking.
Street Entry Permits
Due to interference with snow-plowing operations work within the roadway is not permitted between November 15th and April 1st. Contact Jim Zingarelli DPW Engineer for further information at (508) 829-0246.
Questions?
Questions or comment regarding snow removal operations and policies/procedures can be directed to:
Richard DeWitt, Supervisor of Operations
DPW Highway Facility, 87 Adams Road
(508) 829-0258 Mon-Fri 7:00-3:30
or
DPW Administrative Offices
Town Hall, 1196 Main Street
(508) 829-0249 Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30
Holden Snowfall Statistics
(as recorded November 1 - April 30)
Winter |
Amount |
Budget |
1994-1995 |
24.9" |
under |
1995-1996 |
144" (record) |
over |
1996-1997 |
87" |
over |
1997-1998 |
51" |
over |
1998-1999 |
54" |
over |
1999-2000 |
31" |
under |
2000-2001 |
107" |
over |
2001-2002 |
34" |
under |
2002-2003 |
111.5" |
over |
2003-2004 |
51" |
over |
Purpose
The intent of this pamphlet is to advise all residents of the Town of Holden Department of Public Works' (DPW) winter snow plowing and sanding objective and to request the assistance of residents in the snow removal procedures. The DPW's primary goal is to ensure that all the maintained roadways are promptly cleared and sanded/salted as quickly and safely as possible following a storm event. The cooperation of all residents is essential for the DPW to achieve this objective. This brochure is simply a reminder that your assistance and patience is greatly appreciated as the DPW provides the winter maintenance required to clear the roadways and restore them for safe vehicular traffic.
The DPW would like to remind residents that plowing, shoveling or blowing snow into the traveled way is a direct violation of Article XVI, the Town of Holden Snow Removal by-law which specifically states:
No person other than an employee in the service of the Town or an employee in the service of an independent contractor acting for the Town shall pile, push or plow snow or ice onto a public way of the Town so as to impede the flow of traffic on such way. Whoever violates this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred and fifty dollars.
Mailboxes
Mailboxes should be secured and set back from the roadside to prevent damage that can occur from the snow leaving the plow-blade. The majority of phone calls received by the DPW regarding damaged mailboxes could be avoided if this were done. It is the responsibility of the residents, not the DPW, to remove snow from their mailboxes.
Driveways
Residents should remember to place the snow at the opposite end of their driveway from the direction of the snowplow. This will help keep the larger amounts of snow from being deposited back into the driveways during the plowing operations. It is the responsibility of the residents, not the DPW, to remove snow from their driveways.
Landscaping
Residents can help protect their landscaping by placing markers at the edge of lawns and berms to aid the operators during the plowing procedures. The DPW is not responsible for damages to lawns and/or landscaping during plowing operations.
Safety
The members of the DPW have many years of experience dealing with all types of winter weather conditions. If you are out traveling the roadways during a winter storm event, remember to be conscious of increased stopping distances, limited sight visibility, road debris, and other travelers (pedestrians and motor vehicles) including the plow operators.
Remember, the DPW personnel is making the roadways safe for you and all others traveling within the Town of Holden. No one has made the roads safe for them. Please keep a minimum distance of 400-feet from the plows and sanders to avoid damage to windshields and to prevent possible accidents. The plowing operations require the drivers to make frequent stops and turns and may require the vehicles to back-up along the traveled way. Patience, courtesy and forethought go a long way in making winter driving safe for all.
How can you help?
Here are a few suggestions to help not only yourself, but the DPW as well:
1. Drive cautiously. Be aware of the road conditions and your surroundings.
2. Refrain from traveling during a storm event unless it is absolutely necessary.
3. Do not permit children to play in and around the edge of the road. Snow forts carved in the snow-banks are strongly discourged.
4. Do not plow, shovel or blow snow into the roadway.
5. Prior to final clean-up of your driveway, check the road condition. If it does not appear to be completely clear or needs to be widened, chances are the plow may return and may push snow back into the entrance of your driveway. Waiting until the plows have finished making the roadways safe might keep you from clearing your driveway more than once.
6. Clean around any hydrants and catch basins. Doing so will help the Fire Services in case there is a need to locate and operate the hydrant. Exposing catch basin grates will help remove the run off from the snow-melt and prevent ponding (and potential freezing) of water in the street.
7. Be patient. The DPW has over 114-miles of roadway to maintain. All roads will be cleared as soon as possible.
School Closings/Cancellations
The Wachusett Regional School District determines school cancellations, not the DPW.
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