Town: Schools Open; 'Sidewalks Will Not Be Perfect'

First published on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. Updated for Wednesday’s newsletter.

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After being closed since Monday, Jan. 26, Framingham Public Schools will re-open tomorrow, Feb. 4.

Mother Nature, via three snow storms, has left 4 feet of snow, and even double that amount in snow banks throughout town.

Framingham Town Manager Bob Halpin said DPW employees have been working 18-plus hour days since last Monday.

He said public works crews were able to keep the roads open for emergency vehicles. For tomorrow, major roadways and secondary roads have been plowed. Some sidewalks have been done and others will be worked on overnight.

But Halpin said “sidewalks will not be perfect.”

He asked for parents help in making sure children are safe at the bus stops and walking to and from school.

He suggested parents, for one day, escort children to the bus stops, walk with children to school, or drive them.

Halpin told Selectmen extra police will be on hand and that DPW crews were working overnight to clear crosswalks and major walking intersections of snow, especially near schools.

Parents need to be aware the situation is “not perfect.” There are still many high snow banks, said Halpin.

The Town Manager said he was aware this makes for a “difficult situation” for parents, and is asking for their help, patience and vigilance on Wednesday.

Halpin said the Town of Framingham will bring in more uniformed police officers for Wednesday morning.

“We want extra eyes in the morning,” he told Selectmen, at their Tuesday night meeting.

Framingham Public Schools issued a reverse 9-1-1 call to parents tonight (Tuesday) telling them that school was on for Wednesday.

The message also asked ”parents to be particularly vigilant about the road and sidewalk conditions in their neighborhoods as children gather at bus stops or walk to school. The Town has been working hard to clear roads and school parking lots, but there remain some roads and sidewalks that will continue to be impacted by the snow, and the walking paths to schools in particular may remain impassible. Buses may also be delayed as well because of the road conditions, so please exercise your best judgment with respect to your child’s safety.”

Selectman Chair Charlie Sisitsky commended DPW for its efforts and said the public does not realize how “complicated it is to get the town back open after a snow storm.”

Selectman Cheryl Tully-Stoll asked that all Framingham drivers be cautious on Wednesday.

She asked that drivers expect children on corners with high snow banks and to expect lines longer than usual at some schools, during drop off and pick up of students.