At last weeks Selectmen’s Meeting, Upton’s town manager Blythe Robinson took a moment to discuss snow removal. Robinson pointed out residents noticed after the most recent snow storm roads seem to be snow-covered longer than usual and they wondered what was going on.
Robinson discussed this issue with the Department of Public Works who explained the extreme cold weather had played a significant role in keeping the roads clear. Robinson wanted to make sure it wasn’t an issue of lack of staff or lack of materials. It was explained to Robinson by the DPW that salt doesn’t work below 15 degrees and when the storm started is was about 18 degrees. Robinson told the selectmen, “While they put stuff down it stopped working.”
When the temperature dips below 15 degrees the salt stops working. The DPW then has to shift to adding sand to the mix to create traction or add calcium chloride spray to the salt. Robinson also explained during a storm like the January 2 & 3 storm it comes to a point where you can put a lot of materials down but how effective are the materials. Robinson said, “It’s a balance between resources and what will be effective.”
In addition to the extreme cold the DPW did have a truck go down, truck 28. It’s an older 10 wheeler which is scheduled to be replaced soon by another truck the town is rebuilding. Truck 28 usually works on one of the 5 sanding routes which typically takes about 3 hours to put down the material and with Truck 28 down it took a little longer.
Robinson said the roads didn’t clear off as quickly as the people have gotten used to but there is nothing to be concerned about.
UPTON DAILY 
That’s not really what I noticed, 140 was completely cleared, but High Street/Hartford Avenue towards 495 was still snow covered, so that explanation doesn’t really make sense!
Route 140 is cleared/maintained by the state, not the Town of Upton