With More Snow Possible, Town, Schools Prepare

The possibility of more snow had town and school crews working this weekend clearing roads, drains, trying to push back the still large snow piles as much as possible and clearing snow from school roofs, officials said.

While the clear and sunny conditions will persist on Monday, a storm is expected to bring some wet snow overnight and taper by Tuesday morning, possibly bringing with it only about 2 to 3 inches, the National Weather Service said.

The storm is not expected to be significant, although by Tuesday afternoon, the wind may be a factor – with wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph likely, the weather service said. Wind chill temperatures may dip as low as –7 by Tuesday night, forecasters said.

First Selectman Pat Llodra said Sunday that crews used the weekend lull in the bad weather for additional cleanup duties. So far this season, storm cleanup in the form of overtime and purchase of salt and sand has cost the town $544,000 for public works, with additional overtime costs at parks and recreation still to be calculated, she said.

Workers also were on school roofs trying to clear excess snow and ice. Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson issued an e-mail Sunday apologizing for jumping the gun and saying that all of school roofs had been cleared, when in fact, all of them only had been inspected.  

“I must apologize for my last Connect-ed email as I said that all of the school roofs had been cleared, when in actuality, all of the roofs had been inspected and the flat roofs and large expanses had been cleared, with plans for the rest,” Robinson said in the e-mail. “I take responsibility for the miscommunication that I then sent to you.”

Snow has been cleared from the roofs of the Newtown High School and Sandy Hook portables as well as the high school auditorium and pool and Newtown Middle School auditorium and A, B and now C wing gyms, she said.

Reed Intermediate School has a pitched roof and Middle Gate is along a wind corridor that has kept the snow from accumulating on the roof, Robinson said.