Officials Eyeing Traffic Changes After Season’s Snow

If you’ve been thinking Needham is in Blizzard of ‘78 territory with all the recent snow, well, you‘re right.

“This has been a cumulative process of events- but we’re within two inches of that event,” said Rick Merson, director of Public Works.

Merson and his team have been working around the clock to widen arterial streets and those that intersect them. As of the Feb. 8 Board of Selectmen meeting, Merson reported being 30% done with this process, to which he added, “The number of storms and frequency has left very little recovery time.”

Crews have also been sent out to the schools, and other public buildings, which have flat roofs. So far the roof of the Pollard Gym, and Broadmeadow School’s roof has been cleared. Hillside School is next on the agenda, along with the high school.

Town Manager, Kate Fitzpatrick, reminded the selectmen and public that if there is more snow the town may need to implement temporary traffic signs like it did after the Blizzard of ’78.  “Do Not Enter” signs would be necessary for narrow streets, which have heavy traffic flows in a particular direction, such as those leading to schools.

Due to the current fluctuating nature of the streets’ accessibility throughout town, Chief of Police, Tom Leary warned residents to practice caution when driving,

 “I think it’s important on an advisory basis for all motorists to reduce their speed,” he said. “We’ve had a number of accidents where people traveling on streets hit side mirrors.”

Selectman Maurice Handel cited the importance of digging out fire hydrants, to which Leary acknowledged the assistance that residents have provided in doing so, and how much it is appreciated. He also encouraged residents to put down sand and rock salt, especially on walkways, when possible.

According to Merson, the easiest way to find a buried fire hydrant, or catch basin, is to look at the utility poles on a street. Those marked with a yellow band indicate a fire hydrant and the number on the pole is the number of feet the pole is from the hydrant. The same is true for catch basis, except that they’re indicated by a white band on the pole.

Residents who are having difficulty gaining street access due to snow and have special needs, such as returning home from a hospital stay, can call the DPW office at 781-455-7534 or the Police Department at 781-455-7570.

Leary encourages people to watch their speed on the roadways, and said, “Just look out for your neighbor.”