❄️ Preparing Before the Storm
Before a storm event begins, Braintree DPW is already preparing behind the scenes to keep roads and sidewalks safe for everyone.
Our crews service:
🛣️Roads First, Sidewalks Second
Main roads are cleared by Town DPW equipment
Side Roads (27 secondary routes) are cleared by contractors. Ideally, each route would have 2 assigned contractors that work together. Town DPW is the backup for areas without enough contractor coverage. Contractor routes are tracked with GPS, so we know the details on all our side streets.
Last Spring, DPW analyzed our Snow Contractor pay rates with adjacent communities and made adjustments to make sure we could compete on the snow contractor market–great thinking ahead by our Team to make sure we had resources in place in the event of a heavy snow.
💰 Planning Ahead Saves Taxpayer Money
DPW proactively created a snow farm at the compost site before the season began. 🍂 Leaves were cleared to make space for snow to be stored there during major storms.
In-Town snow storage areas significantly reduce the cost to move snow, and transport trucks have less downtime moving between snow-clearing areas.
🤝 Working Together Across Agencies
Snow operations are a team effort. DPW works collaboratively with:
🚧 The State for state-owned roads
🚉 The MBTA for sidewalks near T stations
🏘️ Local crews for neighborhood streets and sidewalks
🚶 Sidewalk Priorities
With limited time and resources, sidewalk plowing is prioritized for:
🚌 Frequently used bus stops
🏫 Schools
🏬 Business centers - Did you know that if you are a retail business owner, it is your responsibility to clear your sidewalk, or else you could face fines? Check out the Ordinance 12.04.050: https://ecode360.com/14706765.
One of the biggest challenges crews face is when snow from driveways or private property is shoveled into the sidewalks, making it difficult for sidewalk plows to get through. Our sidewalk plows are strong, but it takes a lot to tackle banks towering above the plow’s roof.
🛠️ Equipment & Backup Plans
During heavy storms, equipment can break down. DPW has:
🔧 On-site maintenance staff
🚜 Backup equipment ready to go
🤝Relationships with local on-call mechanics
This keeps downtime short and routes moving.
📊 After the Storm
After every storm, DPW conducts an after-action review looking at:
✔️ Costs
✔️ What worked well
✔️ What can be improved next time
🧑🤝🧑 How You Can Be a Good Neighbor
Residents play a big role in helping snow operations run smoothly:
❌ Don’t shovel driveway snow into the street or sidewalk
❌ Don’t pile snow at the edge of your driveway where plows pass
✅ Clear sidewalks, crosswalks, and fire hydrants near your property
📞 Questions or Concerns?
Please reach out directly to the Mayor’s Office or DPW with snow-related concerns.
⚠️ SeeClickFix may not be monitored during active storm operations.