10/01/2026
Inside the DPW: Getting Ready for Winter
While most of us are enjoying the crisp mornings, pumpkin-flavored goodies and the hint of leaves changing colors, thereโs a lot happening behind the scenes at the DPW to get ready for the upcoming winter season.
Snow and ice operations are a major undertaking, and the preparation starts well before the first storm arrives. A big part of our work this time of year is making sure we have the people, equipment, materials and plans in place to respond when the weather turns.
Some of the work taking place includes:
๐๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ ๐
๐ฅ๐๐๐ญ โ Our plow trucks, salt spreaders, loaders, sanders and other winter equipment are being serviced, inspected and prepared to withstand the demands of another winter season.
๐๐ญ๐จ๐๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ฌ โ Weโre making sure our contracts for road salt and other de-icing materials are in place and that our salt supplies are stocked and ready to go before the first storm.
๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ โ Weโre working with outside contractors to secure additional plow trucks, equipment and operators that can be called upon during larger storms.
๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐ง๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ โ Routes are being reviewed and adjusted, and internal staffing assignments are being finalized so our crews know where they need to be when a storm hits.
๐๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ ๐
๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ โ Snowblowers, plows and other equipment used to maintain Town and school facilities are being serviced and prepared for winter as well.
๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐
๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐
๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฌ โ Winter storms are hard on equipment, and things don't always go according to plan. We're checking critical spare parts and supplies, making sure we have the tools and equipment needed for repairs, and planning for how we'll respond if a truck or piece of equipment goes down during a storm.
๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐
๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ โ Weโre also reviewing procedures, communications, equipment needs and lessons learned from previous storms so we can be prepared to adjust when conditions change.
There are a lot of moving parts involved in a successful snow and ice operation. Having our equipment serviced, materials on hand, contractors lined up, assignments established and contingency plans in place before the storm arrives helps the entire operation run more smoothly when it matters most.
And, of course, no amount of preparation can predict exactly what Mother Nature has in store for us. But our goal is to be as prepared as possible when that first storm arrives.
A big thank-you to our DPW crews who are putting in the work now to make sure we're ready for whatever winter brings!
