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Windhamweb Home Page : Town Departments : Public Works : Winter Storm Cleanup

WINDHAM PUBLIC WORKS
Winter Storm Cleanup

Windham Public Works Department plows, sands and salts approximately 120 miles of road way. Our goal throughout the winter weather is to keep the roadways clear and safe. We want you commuting without incident.

To meet such goals we have a crew of 21 dedicated men and women who work around the clock for you. When it begins to snow or sleet these people are called in by the Police Dispatcher regardless of what time day or night.

To assist in road clean up we have the following equipment:

(2) 1994 Ford’s, (1) 1989 John Deere Loader,

(1) 1995 Ford, (1) 2001 Cat Loader,

(1) 1997 Ford, (1) 2001 John Deere Loader,

(3) 2000 International’s, (1) 2000 John Deere Grader,

(1) 2003 International, (1)1996 Trackless/ snow blow Sidewalks,

(2) 2003 Chevy 4X4 pick ups with plows, (1) 2000 Ford F-550 One ton

The dump truck vehicles are equipped with sanders for spreading salt and sand, plow blades and wings. All vehicles and equipment have two way radio communications.

Public Works Departments no longer sand as they used to. Many towns and cities are adopting the Salt Priority program. Sand does not melt snow and ice. If the roadways are salted in the very early stages of a storm, the salt will keep the snow from bonding to the pavement. Ideal salt priority programs in Maine involve pre-wetting salt (sodium chloride) with liquid calcium chloride. Pre-wetting the salt will allow it to stick to the road surface and reduce “bounce and scatter” of materials. This allows the pre-wetted salt solution to work at much lower temperatures. Less quantity of material is spread on a road compared to a typical sand/salt program. This allows for cleaner plowing. We use approximately 60 to 120 tons of salt per storm.

The key to success with such a program is Timing, Technology, and Training.

Timing: to get out as early in the storm as possible.

Technology: Investing in the proper equipment to implement the program including temperature sensors, pre-wetting equipment and other necessary equipment.

Training: Every municipality should gather as much information as possible regarding winter maintenance.

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