In less than two weeks, approximately 56.5 inches of snow
has fallen on Amesbury. Our DPW crews and private contractors have worked up to
66 of the last 96 hours plowing, sanding, and removing snow in their best
efforts to keep our roads as safe as possible. These are historic levels of
snowfall. The DPW has removed hundreds of truckloads of snow from various City
parking lots, and removed snow to the curb on Friend Street and Main Street to
accommodate for parking for our downtown businesses. Unfortunately,
back-to-back-to-back storms have hampered removal efforts and presented
recurring parking problems.
We are well equipped to handle about 30” of snow. In
normal circumstances, within a few hours of when the storm ends, the snow is
cleared, and the main streets and hills are treated. We also have the
capacity to clean up intersections, parking, lots and the downtown within a
week with the equipment the DPW has combined with local contractors.
However, multiple snow storms interrupt this schedule and multiple large storms
completely disrupt our ability to handle all the needs required. Side
streets do not get widened because the equipment needed to do so is in use
trying to keep main streets intersections and parking lots opened.
Crews will continue working day and night over the next two
days to remove snow from essential places in the City. Specifically, the DPW
will focus on the schools and the downtown cleanup. The following snow removal
schedule is completely contingent upon the weather forecast:
·
Thursday Night: A minimal DPW crew will
be removing snow from AHS and AMS. Since public safety needs to be first
priority, the majority of the crew will be treating City roads to mitigate the
threat that ice poses to traveling vehicles.
·
Friday – Day: The DPW will continue snow
removal efforts in various municipal parking lots and intersections across the
City.
·
Friday – Night: The DPW will focus on
cleaning up the downtown sidewalks. This item has been delayed in the past week
by multiple additional storms.
·
Saturday: The DPW will reset operations
and begin preparation for yet another winter storm.
The latest weather reports for the upcoming storm project
approximately 8-12 inches of snow falling over a span of 72 hours beginning
Saturday afternoon and ending Tuesday morning. This storm poses
particular difficulties for the DPW’s already strained resources. After
multiple 24 hour work days in the past two weeks, crews will have to work for
most of the duration of this 72 hour storm as well. They will be exhausted, and
they will continue to work as diligently and quickly as possible to keep our
roads safe and remove snow from our downtown.
While business owners are legally responsible for the
sidewalks that abut their property, the DPW always makes a courtesy effort to
clear the downtown sidewalks to assist businesses. The DPW encourages business
owners to do their best to keep these sidewalks clear and treated once the DPW
has plowed them. Business owners and managers are also encouraged to ask
employees to park in the Lower Millyard municipal parking lot in order to allow
maximum parking for customers on Main Street and Friend Street.
I ask all residents to please exercise extreme caution when
operating a motor vehicle. The banks are high, limiting visibility, and even
streets that appear black pose serious risks drivers. Please drive slowly!
We are not alone in fighting the challenges we face. In
Boston, Mayor Walsh has asked his constituents for “patience”, and has been unable to identify any definitive
time tables for snow removal in the City. In Somerville, the City is fining
residents up to $200 for failing to clear their abutting sidewalks.
Amesbury will not be fining anyone, and we have a snow
removal plan that is well underway.
While we execute the plan, we ask for your patience and
understanding and your appreciation of the long hours our DPW, police and
firefighters are putting in to make sure we are all safe and sound.
If you have a particular issue, please let us know and we
will strive to offer assistance. Here are some helpful phone numbers:
DPW (Monday – Friday 7 AM – 3 PM): 978-388-8116
Public Safety Non-Emergency Line (24 hours): 978-388-1212
If you need more information, or have any questions, please
do not hesitate to contact my office at 978-388-8121.
Thank you, and be safe!
Ken
