Public Works Prepares For Winter, Snow Removal

It's already December, and if the Halloween flurries are any indication of what the season holds, Shelton residents should brace themselves for another Snowpocalypse. But regardless of what winter brings, the city's Public Works department says they are confident their machinery and funds can handle the job.

"Last year wasn't the normal. I don't know if you can say you're prepared for anything like that -- no one's going to be prepared for that amount of snow -- but we do what we have to," said Public Works Director Paul DiMauro.

In the 2010-2011 fiscal year the Highways and Bridges Department, which oversees snow removal, spent $2,838,339 of Shelton's $10,213,118 infrastructure expenses. Infrastructure expenses accounted for nine percent of total expenses for that year, which reached over $111 million (See charts in photo section for precise breakdowns).

Highways and Bridges pays for its equipment and employee wages, including overtime. DiMauro said that although they spent more than in past years, it is necessary to be flexible in order to keep drivers safe during the winter months.

"We know what the winter is like in Connecticut," he said. "It can get bad, and maybe this year it will, maybe it won't. Our job is to make the roads as safe as possible."

In addition to new equipment, DiMauro said Public Works has already brought in supplies like sand and salt. "We've got a handful of new plows to replace ones that were a bit tired, plus two new sanding machines. And we will continue to bring in more supplies throughout winter."

Last winter, many residents felt the city's response to Snowpocalypse . DiMauro said that cooperation from the public is crucial in ensuring snow removal is as quick and efficient as possible.

"Streets with the most traffic get taken care of first, for obvious reasons, and then we move on to secondary roads," he said. "But people get impatient and sometimes shovel snow into the street, which doesn't help anything."

What may prove to be helpful, though, are new hydrant markers the city purchased in hindsight of the amount of snow we got last year. Most fire hydrants are sporting a fancy red and white reflective extension, should snowfall cover the actual structure.

"I think these will help a lot," DiMauro said. "Anything that gives us a guide of where to plow or indicates how far we can go makes the process much faster and easier -- plus it's a safety precaution."