Greenfield DPW Reminds Community of Winter Season Guidelines
When winter weather occurs, the DPW plans a weather response strategy based on forecasts and the storm’s timing. Crews are often assigned to pretreat the roads with salt brine solution and treated salt in advance of the storm, conduct plowing operations during the storm and remain deployed for post-storm cleanup, particularly in the downtown area.
It is estimated to take roughly seven hours to plow all 11 miles of Greenfield roadways once. During long-duration storms, the streets may require two or three snowplow trips to ensure safe road conditions.
Winter Snow Reminders for Residents, Businesses and Visitors:
• Emergency Winter Parking Ban - When the Mayor or Public Works Director declares a parking ban, vehicles are prohibited from parking on city streets and overnight parking in municipal lots is prohibited, with the exception of designated areas of the Chapman/Davis Lot. In addition, the first three levels of the Olive Street Garage will be available for free overnight parking. Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense. Once the parking ban has concluded, cars must vacate the Olive Street Garage to avoid incurring parking fees.
Parking ban information is released through the Greenfield Alert system and online through the City’s website and social media channels.
• Sidewalks - Owners of properties that abut public sidewalks are responsible for the removal of snow from sidewalks within 24 hours after the end of the snowfall, as set forth in City Ordinance 159-16.
• Fire Hydrants - For neighborhood safety, owners of properties that abut public fire hydrants should remove a two-foot-wide path of snow to and around the hydrant within 24 hours after the end of the snowfall, as set forth in City Ordinance 159-25.
• Trash and Recycling - Residents are reminded that trash and recycling items placed at the curb must be accessible from the street side of the snowbank. In most cases, a “shelf” can be easily shoveled into the snowbank to provide a suitable spot for containers and bags, or items can be placed at the end of the driveway. Trash and recycling located on the sidewalk behind snowbanks will not be collected.
• Sand - Greenfield residents can pick up free winter sand at the DPW yard at 209 Wells Street Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and during storm operations. The sand is located to the right when entering the parking lot.
While the city’s goal is to keep roads passable during winter weather events, motorists are urged to stay off the roads at the height of storms if possible to enhance safety and allow emergency responders and DPW crews to operate more efficiently.
“During winter storm events, the greatest assistance we can have is for folks to stay off the roads when possible and adhere to the parking ban if one is issued,” said DPW Director Marlo Warner. “It is helpful to the DPW staff operating the 27-30 pieces of equipment as they clear our roads and parking lots as efficiently as possible to maintain public safety”.