“Winter forms our character and brings out our best.”
— Tom Allen
Punxsutawney Phil, everyone’s favorite furry weatherman, predicted on Feb. 2 that there would be six more weeks of winter rather than an early spring. He was right! Nearly 30 inches of snow fell in Marblehead in February alone. Total snowfall this winter has been close to 60 inches, according to some accounts.
How does Marblehead handle so much snow? What do we do? Who’s responsible? What does it cost, and where does it all go?
Marblehead is fortunate to have experienced departments and dedicated employees who work collaboratively to address snow emergencies and snow removal:
— The Department of Public Works, including the Highway Department, manages all snow operations, including plowing and snow removal.
— The Fire Department handles emergency access and safety checks.
— The Police Department manages traffic, enforces travel bans and ensures safe road conditions.
— The Municipal Light Department oversees power lines and infrastructure safety.
— The School Department handles snow clearing across all school properties.
— Recreation and Parks assists with overall operations.
— The Harbormaster Division participates in safety and logistics.
— The Health Department operates the Transfer Station, which serves as a location for snow disposal and vehicle towing.
When it snows, the Highway Department salts the main roads and bus routes first to prevent snow from sticking to the pavement. Then, they plow the main roads, emergency routes and school bus routes to maintain traffic flow and public safety, followed by secondary roads and residential streets. Sidewalks along school routes are cleared after the roads are done. Property owners are responsible for keeping fire hydrants on or adjacent to their property cleared.
More than 70 pieces of equipment were mobilized during last week’s blizzard, including sanders, plows, loaders, dump trucks and sidewalk clearers. The average age of this equipment is 15 years. Some equipment is nearing the end of its useful life, an issue the town will need to address soon.
With the number of snow events this winter, the costs for removal and cleanup now exceed $300,000 — more than triple this fiscal year’s budget. Snow removal is allowed to go over budget with any overage reconciled within the town’s total budget at the end of the fiscal year. Going forward, the snow budget should be based more closely on historical costs.
For years, Marblehead had a seasonal parking ban that kept cars off the streets for the entire winter. The bans are now issued on an as-needed basis. Snow emergencies and parking bans have been declared during each storm this winter to keep roadways clear for the Highway Department. Finding off-street parking under these orders is a challenge. A few municipal spots are available, but they fill up quickly. The town should consider using other areas, such as school parking lots, to help meet this need.
Some residents grumble about the “plow berms” left at the end of their driveways after a plow passes on their street. These berms can be difficult to remove depending on their size and density. A new online app called Snow Patrol connects neighbors and neighborhoods with those who can help with snow, snow banks and berm removal. This is part of what makes Marblehead a resilient town: We all chip in when and where needed.
Finding a place to put the snow once it’s removed from streets and sidewalks is a major challenge for Marblehead. Following a state of emergency declared by the Select Board, the town began dumping snow in the harbor at Riverhead Beach and State Street Landing after the first big storm in late January and has continued doing so after the two February storms. Some residents may object to this practice, but the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection permits it, subject to specific guidelines.
Unfortunately, local businesses have been hit hard by the weather. Parking spaces are scarce; alternate-side parking is inconvenient; and sidewalks are narrow. Businesses and the town should work together to support one another. We want businesses to thrive even when there is snow around.
We are all very snow-weary at this point, especially those who worked through the storms. We are deeply grateful to town employees who have kept us safe this winter and to the neighbors who have helped one another.
Daylight saving time begins on Sunday, March 8, and spring is less than three weeks away, at least on the calendar. Neither can arrive soon enough. When they do, and the snow melts and temperatures warm, this winter will be a distant memory.
