After a winter marked by punishing storms, potholes are now popping up across Marblehead, and crews are working to catch up as snow operations wind down.
Department of Public Works Director Amy McHugh updated the Select Board March 11 about the pothole scourge, saying the winter pushed public works crews to their limits and left roads battered by repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
“The first pothole calls came in around Jan. 12,” McHugh said.
By March 11, the DPW had been notified about more than 100.
Town crews had been focused primarily on snow operations through much of the winter, which temporarily slowed road repairs. Large storms required dozens of employees and vehicles working extended shifts to keep roads clear.
“We had one [shift] that was over 30 continuous hours long,” McHugh said about one storm response. “We had one that was over 40 continuous hours of plowing.”
During major storms, about 45 pieces of equipment and employees from multiple town departments are mobilized to clear roads. Employees from the DPW, Water and Sewer, Cemetery, Board of Health, and Recreation and Parks all assist in snow operations. In total, 40 to 50 employees may be involved, often working long shifts of up to 18-and-a-half-hour days, according to McHugh.
The town also relies on a piece of equipment known as a “hot box,” which keeps asphalt warm enough for repairs. Marblehead’s existing hot box, purchased in 2015, went out of service for maintenance in January — just as storms intensified.
To improve repairs, the town has purchased a new four-ton hot box using state Chapter 90 funds through the Fair Share program. McHugh said she hoped it would arrive last week.
The new unit includes a dual burner system that allows unused asphalt to be reheated, reducing waste and extending working time. Once the equipment arrives, crews will begin making daily trips to asphalt plants to fill potholes across town.
“The crew will be out,” McHugh said. “We will be going to pick up asphalt every day, and that’s what their focus will be.”
Many damaged areas will ultimately require full paving repairs later in the season.
“A lot of these need paving,” McHugh said. “So, you know they’re going to be just patched until that point.”Residents can report potholes by calling the DPW at 781-631-1750 or emailing highway@marbleheadma.gov.
