The clock is ticking down to the final minutes, but the outcome is already obvious: Bedford will prevail over snow and ice in the first major storm of the 2020-21 winter season.
All that remains is continuing snow clearance on sidewalks, which should be finished before the end of the weekend, Department of Public Works Director David Manugian said Friday afternoon. The official snow depth from the storm was 14.5 inches, he noted.
The director emphasized that snow removal is “a team effort. We are coordinating throughout the storm with the Town Manager, Facilities Department, police, fire, and the schools. Everybody has a role.”
He pointed out that “once school is canceled, they let us know right away and that allows us to move resources.” Facilities crew clear the sidewalks around schools and municipal buildings. Fire Department personnel were out Friday clearing hydrants.
Residents should be aware that “each year routes get changed, so people may have seen different drivers or equipment, and each driver has a different style,” Manugian said. “We tweak routes based on staff we have available.”
Manugian explained that there is a prioritized snow removal plan for sidewalks. Once roads and school and town parking areas are cleared, he said, the focus turns to sidewalks. Clearance starts in the center of town and then fans out onto the main collector roads, followed by Minuteman Bikeway.
He acknowledged that sidewalks in small residential subdivisions are not on the agenda. “Given the priorities that we have for a typical winter, we would never make it out there, and never set the expectations that they will get done.”
Manugian acknowledged receiving some calls Thursday and Friday from residents about roadside mailboxes damaged during snow removal operations. He cited the policy that is on the DPW website, which reads:
“The DPW repairs mailboxes as a courtesy. It is town policy that mailboxes will not be repaired or replaced unless it is evident that the damage was caused by the plow blade and not the force of the snow. If a mailbox gets replaced, it will be with a standard mailbox and post only.”
Complaints are handled on a case-by-case basis, Manugian said. “Occasionally things get damaged, and there are cases where we will do some repairs and basic replacements.”
Mike Rosenberg can be reached at [email protected], or 781-983-1763
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