WESTFIELD-The City of Westfield’s Department of Public Works (DPW) is preparing their trucks and equip- ment for the winter ahead.
Overall, the average cost to remove snow is approxi- mately $800,000 per year for the city. Although this is usually the case, the October snowstorm of 2011 cost a little more than 1 million dollars, with the rest of that winter costing $250,000.
According to Director of Public Works Jim Mulvenna, depending on how severe the winter is, $125,000 is used to pay for private contractors. The rest of the DPW budget money is used to purchase sand and salt to apply to the roads during winter weather conditions, as well as to pay the DPW employees.
“We plow the main roads and hill areas first and when the snow gets heavier we start to plow the side streets and call the private con- tractors in to help” said Mulvenna
“Our crews with the largest equipment gen- erally handle all the main roads,” said Mayor Daniel M. Knapik. “They will go into the neighborhoods in the days after a storm to assist with clearing the accumulation from heavy snow”.
Since the terrain in Westfield varies, neigh- borhoods in the higher elevations can receive more snow or ice than those at lower eleva- tions.
During an average snow storm, the city has between 12 and 15 city employees that plow, five vendors that do the school lots, one ven- dor that does the off street parking lots, and 14
that help with clearing roads. Neighborhoods sometimes see some variability in quality of the plowing, due to the amount of different vendors.
It is the responsibility of Westfield resi- dents and business owners to remove the snow from their sidewalks within 24 hours of a winter storm.
“As always, during and after a storm, the city encourages people to drive safely,” said Knapik. “Certainly the best advice is to stay off the road if you can until the plowing is done”.
This winter season has already brought Westfield two snowstorms, and since it is the beginning of the season, it is highly likely that there will be more in the coming months. As a result, it is possible that snow removal bud- gets could be exceeded.
