Why Is My Street Always Plowed Last?

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Andover Department of Public Works Frequently Asked Snow Removal Questions:

1. Why is my street always plowed last and what are the Town’s priorities? Andover’s priorities are as follows:

• Public Safety facilities
• Major arterial roads (Route 133, Route 28, etc.)
• School parking lots
• Other arterial routes (Woburn Street, Andover Street, School Street, etc.)
• Subdivision collector streets - generally the streets that cul-de-sac streets feed into
• Cul-de-sacs (dead end streets)
• Municipal parking lots
• Sidewalks

2. Why is it that I see snowplows and sander trucks going past my house that are not plowing or sanding?

These trucks are driving to their routes. If they begin sanding before reaching their route, they will not have enough to complete the route and early plowing would delay them.

3. Why does the snowplow driver fill up my driveway?

Snowplow drivers do not intentionally fill driveways. When plowing a road, they aim to add the excess snow to existing snowbanks, however, gaps such as an open driveway, will inevitably be filled with new snow during this process. Waiting to shovel until the end of the snowstorm will help minimize the need for repeated shoveling.

4. How is the plowing of sidewalks prioritized?

After the snowstorm subsides, sidewalk plowing begins during regular work hours as they are classified as non-emergency routes. Individual priorities are:

• Main school walking routes within one-half mile of the elementary schools.
• Main walking routes within one mile of the middle schools.
• Heavy pedestrian walking areas outside of school routes.
• Non-school walking routes.
• All other sidewalks. If it snows during the time that the sidewalks are being plowed, then that work stops and the street plowing priority list begins again. It is important to note that some non-priority sidewalks may not get plowed for successive storms.

5. Who is responsible for clearing sidewalks in the downtown business district and other outlying areas in Andover?

The tenant, occupant or owner of any building on the following streets is responsible for the clearing of the sidewalks in front of their property by 10 a.m. on any day except Sundays and holidays following a snowstorm:

• Both sides of Main Street between Elm Square and Punchard Avenue.
• North side of Elm Street between Main Street and a point 51 feet west of Elm Court.
• South side of Elm Street between Post Office Avenue and a point 232 feet east of Post Office Avenue.
• North side of Park Street between Main Street and a point 344 feet east of Main Street.
• South side of Barnard Street between Main Street and Bartlet Street.
• North side of Chestnut Street and a point 163 feet east of Main Street.
• North side of Essex Street between Main Street and a point 325 feet west of Main Street.
• South side of Essex Street between Central Street and a point 360 feet west of Central Street.
• South side of Chestnut Street and a point 125 feet east of Main Street.
• West side of North Main Street between Windsor Street and a point 250 feet south.
• East side of North Main Street between Haverhill Street and a point 80 feet north of Haverhill Street.
• North side of Haverhill Street between North Main Street and Riverina Road.
• North side of Lowell Street between Poor Street and a point 110 feet west of Poor Street.
• Poor Street between Lowell Street and a point 70 feet north of Lowell Street.

6. Does the Andover supply residents with the sand/salt mix that is used on roads?

Yes. Between storms you may bring a bucket or pail to the Town Yard on Lewis Street and fill it at no cost. Please do not attempt to come during a snowstorm as it is too dangerous for residents to fill anything while the heavy equipment is in operation.

The Andover snow parking ban remains in effect for all streets between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. until further notice.