The DPW Director declares the winter parking ban. The ban is
in effect from November 15 until April 15.
There is no on-street parking during a snow emergency, which
is determined by the DPW Director or Town Manager.
A.
The Town of Groton Highway Department has over 105 miles of roads
to maintain. In an effort to make the snow season as safe as possible,
we offer the following tips and information. Please remember that
each storm is different so our strategy must be adjusted accordingly
to achieve the best results. The Highway Department staff is well
trained and dedicated to plow around the clock, if necessary, to keep
the roadways open and passable. If a plow truck is riding with its
plow up, please do not be misled. They may be returning to the garage
for fuel or repairs or might be headed to another section of Town
to assist with snow removal.
B.
Please be advised that Boston Road (Route 119) is maintained by the
Massachusetts Highway Department from Old Ayer Road east and Elm Street
west.
C.
Residents should not be concerned if they do not see their roadway
plowed during the early part of a snowstorm. The Highway Department
follows an assigned route plan where main roads and hills are plowed
first. Please be patient. All Town-owned roads will eventually be
plowed.
D.
When the snow begins. When a snowstorm begins, the Department responds
by treating all roads with deicing chemicals. Treating the road surfaces
serves two purposes: preventing snow and ice from bonding to the surface
and to keep traffic flowing. During certain storms, such as ice storms,
multiple rounds of deicing chemicals may be applied during the event.
The initial treating the roads takes approximately 2 1/2 to three
hours. Please remember that our crews have to travel on snow-covered,
slippery, untreated roads to get here at any hour of the day or night.
Please be patient as the crews will be out as soon as possible to
begin snow removal operations.
E.
During the storm.
(1)
Plowing operations begin when there is an accumulation of two to
four inches of snow on road surfaces. Depending upon the severity
of the storm, Town forces are assisted by hired contractors to expedite
the process of snow removal. Each vehicle is assigned to a predetermined
route and will remain there until the storm subsides, unless an emergency
occurs that requires reassignment of equipment from one location to
another. The main objective is to keep all roads passable during the
storm. Unfortunately, it is not possible to keep the roads free of
snow without filling in many driveways; therefore, when you clean
the end of your driveway, deposit the excess snow to the downstream
side of your driveway. This will minimize the redeposit of snow into
the cleared opening when the plow makes its next pass. Do not be surprised
to see us plowing with very little snow. It is cheaper to plow than
to apply chemicals to melt all the snow.
(a)
Please do not shovel, plow or blow snow or ice into the roadway.
You could be liable or fined if you create a hazardous condition in
the roadway.
(b)
If you have a private contractor plowing your driveway, please
make sure to remind them of this as you will be held responsible for
their actions.
(2)
After plowing is completed, roads are given a final treatment of
deicing chemical. In the days following a storm, scraping and treating
of roads continues depending upon weather forecasts. If snow is expected
right away, we may not treat flat or minor streets if it is going
to snow again that night. If colder weather is forecasted, streets
must be scraped of snow and slush to prevent icing of the surface
when the temperature drops. At times right after the storm we will
be out again to widen the road edge so that drainage structures are
exposed if the temperatures rise and melting occurs. As time allows,
snow is removed from intersections and some areas of the center of
Town where sight distance and parking is a concern.
