SOUTHWICK/GRANVILLE – With the winter season fast approaching, it’s time again for local public works departments to have their preparation in order for the first New England snow storm of the year.
A file photo shows a Southwick DPW snowplow
In Southwick, DPW Director Randy Brown has all his private contractors in place who help his staff plow during snow storms. Brown says that he has up to 15 private contractors that he can call that will help the town plow side streets during the bigger storms.
The Southwick DPW has already stocked their salt shed with around 2,500 tons of salt ready to go when that big snow storm does hit the Western Massachusetts area.
Newly built in the fall of 2016, 2,100 tons of salt went out of the salt shed for last year’s winter. Based off of the needs last season, Brown made the decision to increase the amount of salt this time around.
“We had more snow than a typical year last year,” said Brown.
Besides the private contractors, Brown says that every staff member will be plowing or in a truck treating roads with a total of 12 machines ready for use.
A Southwick plow truck is seen in action during a snow storm in 2014. (WNG File Photo)
With Southwick being a rural community, Southwick DPW will continue to be cautious with certain areas in town.
“We do have some spot that tends to ice up more than others,” said Brown.
On the West end of town, which is heading towards Granville, there is a much higher elevation and better chance for rougher conditions than there might be near Congamond Lake, which is considered the Eastern section.
“We’ve got to keep our eye out all over the town”
Speaking of Granville, DPW Director Doug Roberts pointed out the topic of elevation and how much of a factor it can be in Granville during the winter.
“That makes a big difference in winter weather,” said Roberts. “It’s a constant, constant deal to monitor it.”
Despite the town only having a population of 1,617 according to the 2016 census, Granville has 43 square miles of land, which is more than Southwick’s 31.66 square miles and population of over 9,700 people.
Having to cover a lot of road, the Granville DPW has been out checking the roads and has seven pieces of equipment that have already been used to sand areas in town this season.
“You’ve got to get your staff ready and trained and understanding their role,” said Roberts.
Assisting him in snow storms, Roberts has three full time staff and also has a few temporary staff. In Granville’s fleet, they have three full sized plow trucks and a couple smaller trucks for use.
