Manchester Public Works Prepared Should Snow Fall This Winter

A year ago, just days after Christmas. 

Enough precipitation fell that a state of emergency was declared for New Jersey. Some surrounding municipalities struggled with snow removal, though roads in and around Manchester were mostly passable within a few days after the storm. 

“We’re always prepared,” said Stephen Stanziano, director of Manchester's , who has a fleet of 11 plows, two loaders and a grader for clearing the township’s roads should snow fall this winter.

“Everything is a year older than it was last year, and that’s always a concern,” Stanziano said. Though the department employs 35 workers, two employees are on extended sick leave and a mechanic recently retired, which could put a strain on the department should a heavy snowfall occur.

But Manchester now has another advantage should substantial snow fall thanks to the township’s cost-saving acquisitions of privately owned Crestwood and United Water companies within the past two years. 

“If things get really bad, we now have the employees from the water company,” Stanziano said, adding that the about 10 workers would only be called in for emergencies.

Stanziano credits Deputy Director Ray Sloan, who has three decades of public works experience, for his continued efforts in keeping roads passable when storms hit.

“He’s the guy out there on the streets,” Stanziano said.

Cleanup for a big storm typically runs about $40,000 to 60,000, and Stanziano said that snow removal last winter cost the township about $200,000. 

To help reduce costs, Manchester’s Public Works department creates its own brine solution of water and salt, which is then spread on major roadways prior to expected snowfall, Stanziano said. While it cannot stop snow from accumulating, the solution does slow the build-up, giving workers more chance to keep up.

So far, Manchester has not had to hire contractors to help with snow removal, and Stanziano said that he would like to keep it that way.

“We do everything 100 percent in-house," he said. “And we get it done cheaper."

Though confident in his department's abilities, the director said that he would welcome a dry winter.

“We’re in good shape. We’re ready,” Stanziano said. But for the public works director who recalled having to walk Route 37 to get into work after last year’s post-holiday storm, it would be OK if Mother Nature held off. “I’m hoping we don’t get a flake of snow.”