Do you remember that white stuff they call snow? Well, just in case we might see some this winter here are tips from Upton Public Works on how to make sure your property is ready for snow plowing.
- Mailboxes – The US Postal Service recommends that mailboxes be at least 41” above the ground and 6 – 8” from the curb or edge of road, and installed with a sturdy post. Making sure that you meet these guidelines will help allow our snowplows to pass below the box, especially if it is away from the road surface. Here is a link to the post office’s information on this topic: https://www.usps.com/manage/mailboxes.htm. The Town’s policy is to reimburse property owners for mailboxes damaged only if directly hit by a plow.
- Fences & Sprinkler Heads – Residents are reminded that they should not have fences or sprinkler system heads in the Town’s Right Of Way (ROW) along any road. The ROW is defined as a strip of land on either side of a road that is owned by the Town. The ROW is there so that the town has an area to store snow in the winter, or to locate utilities or any other activity that it must do. The ROW is often 28 to 42 feet wide. Residents with plantings, fences or sprinkler heads in this area are strongly recommended to relocate them. Contact DPW at 508-529-3067 if you have a question about the ROW on your street.
- Driveway Plowing – The Town’s general bylaws do not allow for snow to be plowed or blown back into the street. Title Two, Chapter Five prohibits this practice, which in extreme conditions can result in a $25 fine per occurrence. The purpose of this bylaw is to keep our streets clear, especially after the plow truck has passed by. For residents who have a private contractor clear their driveways, please remind them of this provision.
- Snow Plow Operations – Depending on the conditions, the Town sends its trucks out on the roads when we have approximately two inches of snow on the roads. We utilize a combination of our own staff and equipment, and hired contractors on sixteen different plow routes. On average, all the plow routes take approximately four hours to complete each time they go out. The Town uses our own trucks for sanding and salting roads, and that takes approximately 3 ½ hours per rotation.
- Fire Hydrants – Fire hydrants are used by firefighters to extinguish fires, prevent injuries and save lives. ~The DPW invites residents to participate in the “Adopt a Hydrant Program”. Residents are asked to keep a 3’ diameter area clear of snow around hydrants close to their home. Quick access to water during a fire will make Upton a safer place to live.
- Catch Basins – Catch Basins can prevent flooding in your neighbourhood. The DPW is requesting residents to assist the Town in keeping catch basin clear snow which are located in front their property.
- Trash Barrels – Many residents have had their trash & recycling barrels badly damaged or even lost during severe winter storms. When it snows you please place your barrels at the end of your driveway, facing the street, and not in the street or sidewalk.
- Parking – Upton’s winter parking ban is in effect. The ban prohibits on street parking between the hours of 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. from November 1 through April 1. The Town also prohibits parking of any vehicle on a town road from the start of a snow or ice storm until 12 hours after the storm ends. The Town is authorized to have any car towed that is obstructing snow removal operations.
- Sand – Sand mixed with salt is available for residents’ use at the DPW located at100 Pleasant Street. ~Residents are limited to one 5-gallon container per trip.
- Child Safety – Children love to make snow forts along the edge of the roads, but this is potentially very dangerous because our plow operators cannot see the children. Visibility is difficult even in the best conditions, so we ask that you please keep your children away from the roads during snow removal!
UPTON DAILY 