SOUTHWICK – Just over a month ago, all of New England and the Western Massachusetts region was hit by more than a foot of snow.
Right after that storm temperatures got to the upper 60’s and even into the 70’s and it appeared that spring was upon us. But as is the case in New England weather lore, don’t like the weather, just wait. Well, a new day dawned Tuesday and a Nor’easter has been projected to hit a majority of New England with the greater Westfield area expecting anywhere from 12 to 18 inches of snow.
Southwick DPW Director Randy Brown says that his workers spent Monday getting all sorts of equipment ready as they prepared to be in at 5 a.m. on Tuesday morning in order to start pushing snow. Pre-treating on most of the side streets in Southwick has also been done.
“That’ll help minimize any early accumulation on those roads,” said Brown.
Randy Brown and the rest of Southwick DPW have prepared for Tuesday’s big snow storm. (WNG File Photo)
With the possibility that anywhere from two to four inches of snow could drop in an hour, every truck will have their own route and will be back over that same route again and again. Salt will also be placed on the roads as the trucks are plowing to help minimize any ice freezing on the road ways and will help try to keep the blacktop bare or at a slush form.
“That’ll be the entire process throughout the storm,” said Brown.
According to Brown, all of Southwick DPW’s contractors have been put on notice and have been out since the snow began.
The approach that the DPW has taken for this storm is no different than the last one.
“We try to approach each storm in the same general manner and then we will adapt if necessary,” said Brown.
For any questions or thoughts on the DPW’s preparation and plans for the storm, contact Brown and the Southwick DPW at 413-569-3040.
