Please be patient with DPW workers

It’s February, which typically means snow on the ground in New England.Somehow, though, that is such an incredible event that some people in town do not know how to cope with this weather phenomenon.When snow falls, it can accumulate. It also leads to difficult driving conditions on the roads. Prudent drivers recognize this, driving slower and ensuring that they have enough time to get to their destinations in the more hazardous conditions.The town has a responsibility to clear the roads of snow to improve the driving conditions and safety of motorists. Such clearance does not necessarily mean that all snow is off the road and bare pavement restored for routine driving. Salt and sand supplement the plowing efforts in order to provide additional melting and traction, especially on steeper roads.When the roads are plowed, the snow has to go someplace. In most instances, the snow is pushed to the side of the road. Unfortunately, in an urban environment, the side of the road usually has sidewalks or driveway openings. The snow goes there. The plow drivers’ task is to clear the road — where the snow goes is not a primary concern.The Department of Public Works receives numerous calls from people that are befuddled by the fact that when plowing the roads, the snow goes to the side of the road. Actually, those callers are not befuddled, but rather irate. They tend to believe that since they (or a contractor) have cleared snow from their driveway or sidewalks, that no more snow is allowed to be there. Unfortunately, the plow drivers cannot stop plowing at driveway openings and, if conditions demand, the plow drivers will likely return to continue to keep the roads passable.Other residents call the department to demand that the plows immediately be dispatched to work on their road. Yes, the department receives calls like these (actually several): It is as if the department and the drivers are a personal service, available at an instant.The town has over 80 miles of roads to maintain. The town has 13 trucks with which to plow (although given the age of the fleet, typically two to four are unavailable due to maintenance issues). The trucks and drivers are assigned specific routes. Each route takes several hours to plow, needed three or four passes to provide for sufficient lane coverage. When trucks are out of service, other trucks have to assume additional coverage. This means that it takes longer to clear roads.The drivers themselves (who I think have been doing a commendable job over the past few weeks) can only stay focused and productive for so long. They need to have time for rest and refit. The last few weeks have been difficult because of the repeated effects of several storms. Even when not in the midst of plowing during a storm, the drivers are being called out to handle minor road conditions. The repeated calls drain the drivers, tax the equipment and exhaust the budget.As with the entire region, our salt, sand and overtime budgets have been expended. The state and other regional organizations are working to find and deliver more salt for the remainder of this winter. Our smaller salt storage shed means that we are somewhat susceptible to interruptions in deliveries because we cannot store as much. DPW directors across the state are in frequent contact with each other to provide assistance and advice to each other.After the snow is cleared, the condition of the roads must be addressed. Potholes must be patched to improve the road surface. Some of the plow drivers surprisingly do not work for the Highway Division, but are part of the Water and Sewer Divisions. This means that they return to their standard duties, which are, by need, somewhat neglected during heavy snow operations.After roads are repaired, the men may finally have the opportunity to getting to clearing town sidewalks. The sidewalks on Main Street, needed to support the local businesses, are also the responsibility of the adjacent property owners and the state. Let’s be realistic — the state will not be available too often to aid with sidewalk snow removal. The burden of that snow removal falls predominantly on the adjacent property owners, as is the case in residential areas.The snow fall this year has been much above average. Snow plow operations can be demanding. I know that the department has offered a ride-along program for residents to better understand the challenges, but I don’t think many people have taken the opportunity to ride. You are missing an exceptional ride. The department continues to monitor the needs of the community and establish priorities — which may not be congruent with your priorities.Be patient with snow removal. Yes, snow will be moved off the road and into driveways and onto sidewalks. The town is not responsible for clearing those driveways and sidewalks. The DPW guys are doing their best with their equipment and resources.Be more patient and hope for warmer temperatures and an early spring.Dale Martin is the town manager of Winchester.