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WINDHAM PUBLIC WORKS
Winter Storm Cleanup
Three Stages of a Snow Storm
BEGINNING OF THE STORM
When a storm starts, top priority is given to the Town's main roads including Route 302, Route 115, Route 35, River Road and others that have very steep hills. We apply salt and sand mixtures as soon as frozen precipitation begins to fall. This cycle continues until all the roads are clear or it is no longer effective due to the depth of snow. This is when drivers will start to plow accumulated snow.
AS SNOWFALL CONTINUES
If snowfall continues to accumulate, plowing of all major roads begins. After heavily traveled roads are clear, the Public works crew begins clearing the secondary roads. The key is to maintain traffic flow.
Some storms can be very difficult to handle. Each storm has its own unique challenges, which means the Public Works crew has to be flexible.
Temperature, time of day, traffic conditions, rate of snowfall, and texture of snow can be major factors when trying to clear the roads. A one inch burst of snow during the morning or evening commute can cause as many problems as a larger weekend storm. Heavy, wet snow can cause tree and wire damage, power outages and additional equipment stress. Light snow and strong winds will cause recurrent snow drifting and ice build-up.
SNOW REMOVAL PROCESS
Once a storm has ended, it takes 6 to 12 hours to complete the plowing of all Windham's roads. There are many occasions Public Works has to plow more than once and go back again to sand & salt before the task is completed. Drifting snow can keep crews out all day and/or night.
Dependant upon the severity of the storm and the frequency of past storms, the snow banks on the side of the roads become impossible to see past and affect travel. At this point the Public Works Department commences with snow removal from sidewalks and street corners.
Loaders and dump trucks are used to eradicate the snow and physically place it elsewhere. The Trackless machine is sent to North and South Windham to remove snow on the sidewalks so pedestrians can move easily without having to walk in the street.
This is a time consuming process. The entire Public Works crew consists of only 21 men and women, so we ask for your patience as we try to get to the dozens of miles of roads within Windham town limits. .
SNOW IN STREETS IS A NO-NO
Public Works snow plow drivers are reporting that residents and/or their plowing contractors are plowing snow across the road leaving it on the shoulders and in the roadways. Residents are also snow blowing and shoveling snow into the roads.
This is an illegal act under State Law Title 29-A, Subchapter 3, item number 4 which states, "A person may not place and allow to remain on a public way snow or slush that has not accumulated there naturally."
Please cooperate by following the State Law and inform your contractor or who ever plows for you that they must not put any snow in the road Read more by clicking one of the links:
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