Residents Angry Over Snow Clean-Up; Prompts City Manager Review

"Careful out there," wrote another Worcester commuter. "The DPW has once again not sanded or salted busy intersections, I slid through one on Pleasant St and got stuck on another one at a 4 way stop. I called, and we'll see if they respond."

Residents were clearly none too happy on Monday, the second of two surprise storms where the streets were reportedly not adequately cleared after not only a snowfall, but subsequent ice.

Worcester Department of Public Works and Parks Commissioner Paul Moosey told MassLive that the department ran into problems because of a lack of equipment, explaining that late in the season, there are fewer sanders and other equipment available because they are largely rented. MassLive also reports there were fewer plows available on Monday, but Moosey argued that the response was appropriate to the amount of snowfall.

At Tuesday's City Council meeting, City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. announced that he'll conduct a review of the DPW's winter operation based on the numerous complaints he received, reports the Worcester Telegram and Gazette.

Augustus said the review would be done within 120 days, and conducted by people outside the DPW to take a fresh look at the operation. Mayor Joseph M. Petty agreed that the DPW could have done a better job, and several councilors echoed his sentiment, commenting that the efforts were a "failure."