Acton's Snow Removal Strategy

The following are excerpts from Acton’s Winter Maintenance brochure:

Acton’s Storm Strategy

The Town of Acton Highway Department has over 100 miles of roads to maintain. In an effort to make the snow season as safe as possible, we offer the following tips and information.

When The Storm Begins

When a snowstorm begins the Department responds by treating all roads with deicing chemicals. Treating the road surfaces serves two purposes. It prevents snow and ice from bonding to the surface and keeps traffic flowing. Treating the roads takes approximately 2 ½ - 3 hours. Please remember that our crews have to travel on snow covered, slippery untreated roads to get here at any hour of the day or night. Please be patient as the crews will be out as soon as possible to begin the operations.

During The Storm

Plowing operations begin when there is an accumulation of 3 to 5 inches of snow on road surfaces. Depending upon the severity of the storm, Town forces are assisted by hired contractors to expedite the process of snow removal. Please do not shovel, plow or blow snow or ice into the roadway. It is not only illegal, but can be a serious traffic hazard. Once the snow has stopped, all roads are scraped and widened sufficiently in anticipation of future storms and for public safety.

Following The Storm

After plowing is completed roads are given a final treatment of deicing chemical. In the days
following a storm, scraping and treating of roads continues depending upon weather forecasts.

Sidewalks

Normally, sidewalks are plowed during the storm and scraped in the following days if
needed. Sidewalks in the school zones are given first priority, after which all connector
sidewalks are plowed.

Winter Parking Ban

Residents are reminded that a winter parking ban is in effect from November 1 until April 1. On street parking is not allowed between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. The parking ban also includes the Municipal Parking area located being the W. Acton Fire Station (258 Central St).

Mailboxes and Basketball Nets

Please refer to the Town of Acton’s Mailbox policy that was adopted October 2014. Basketball posts and nets that have been placed on the edge of the road and overhang areas to be plowed are another area of concern for operators. These have caused damage to Town vehicles and must be removed before the snow season begins. Again, the Town cannot be held responsible for damage to posts or backboards and will remove them if they interfere with snow removal operations.

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