patching...
Update: Get Burlington Breaking News Sent To Your Inbox »
Welcome back, Patch Blogger!

Sanchez: DPW is Ready for More Snow This Weekend

Superintendent of Public Works John Sanchez said the snow removal account is already in a deficit but the DPW is still ready for possible snow this weekend.

 

Two weeks after a blizzard dumped nearly three feet of snow on the area forecasters are saying the Burlington area could get another 12 inches of snow this weekend.

Superintendent of Public Works John Sanchez said that the Burlington DPW is set and ready if the storm does hit.

"We're in good shape," he said. "We had to fix some equipment and get some parts. The machines took a beating but we have them up and running again."

Sanchez also said the DPW re-stocked on salt, sand and other storm supplies.

"We have the materials," he said. "We are ready for Saturday and Sunday."

Sanchez said that the roads are also in good shape to receive more snow, especially when compared to two years ago. He said the DPW has been pushing snow banks back from intersections and has cleared the roads and sidewalks. Also, the two weeks since the blizzard have seen relatively warm days and some of the snow has melted.

"Two years ago there was no time to clean up and the snow never melted," he said. "This time it's a little different so we appreciate that. We had high snow banks and it's hard to push over them but we've been lucky. A a lot of melting has happened over last week and a half."

Sanchez also joked that because of the timing of the snow, if it happens this will be the third weekend in a row members of the DPW have had to work. However, said he looks at the bright side of things.

"Having snow on weekends helps from the point of view that there is less traffic," he said "You have to look at the positive side. It's easier to plow when there are not a lot of people trying to get work."

Sanchez also said the snow removal budget is already in a deficit for the year. He said the sanding, plowing and post clean-up of the blizzard cost the town roughly $225,000 of the budgeted $350,000. He said the other snow storms have required two mores days of plowing and in total the DPW has sanded the roads eight times.

However, Massachusetts law allows towns to be in a deficit in the snow removal accounts. Sanchez said he will be at the Burlington Board of Selectmen meeting next Monday to request they vote to allow the town to operate in a deficit in the snow removal account.

Related Topics: Burlington Department of Public Works, Dpw, John Sanchez, and Snow Storm

BurlGirl

7:47 am on Friday, February 22, 2013

Ready for more? You didn't clean the sidewalk in front of the Pedestrian Crossing Signal at Town Grocery YET???? Our side street was only plowed to one lane. Had to use our own snowblowers to push 3ft on left, 2 ft on right so school bus, Handi-vans and my neighbors FOOD TRUCK could move down the roadway! *** I miss Al ***

Reply

Gary B. Kasky

11:35 am on Friday, February 22, 2013

If you contacted the town DPW, I am sure they would have come to your street and address the plowing situation. Mr. Sanchez is very accommodating.

Reply
Comment_arrow

BurlGirl

5:43 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013

RT3A sidewalks around bus stops should be cleared for morning commute.why should citizens have to call DPW? Pedestrian friendly TOWN CENTER? You could not walk to dunkins for coffee without navigating snowpiles & traffic. Winn st at RT3A was one lane wide...forget about finding the bank entrance.why do we have to negotiate for services yr after yr?

DAD

7:06 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013

To BurlGirl, I agree , The DPW did a horrible job following the " Blizzard" . Streets were not widened for a week . Many people like me and you widened our own streets. The town thinks they did a good job , But listen to many people , That is not the case.

Reply

Gary B. Kasky

12:07 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013

Did anyone contact the town DPW? If you do not address the situation to the town, nothing can be corrected. If someone did contact the town DPW and nothing was done about the snow removal, than you have a valid complaint. As I said before, Mr. Sanchez is very accommodating!

Reply

Burlingtonresident

12:54 pm on Sunday, February 24, 2013

Mr. Kasky must have the hots for Mr. Sanchez. Maybe he wants to do a little personal snow BLOWING for Mr. Sanchez.

Xoxo

Reply
Comment_arrow

Rose Johnson

8:43 am on Monday, February 25, 2013

Burlington resident is DISGUSTING!!

Comment_arrow

Burlington Resident

10:57 am on Monday, February 25, 2013

I'm sure you meant Burlingtonresident (without space), not "Burlington Resident" (with space)

Burlington Resident

2:40 pm on Sunday, February 24, 2013

Mr. Kasky is right. If you have or see a problem report it!

Burlingtonnresident - As far as your comment, no need for that.

Reply

Leave a comment