Post-Storm Update 1/29

“Everyone has a plan until they’ve been hit.” - Joe Louis 

As we dig out of this historic snowstorm (the eighth-biggest storm in recorded Boston history), I am so proud of the way Somerville neighbors came together to help one another. I am also extremely proud of my DPW staff, who worked day and night in perilous conditions, to clear us out of this storm. The team mobilized quickly to clear the schoolyards and streets, and ensure a safe school reopening on Wednesday, and DPW is continuing snow operations all week. I am also proud of their growth mindset. They proactively identified the areas where we fell short, and are making quick changes to be ready for another potential storm this weekend. 

We have received a lot of outreach about dead ends and private ways, so I want to speak to what happened and how we will improve going forward. Our priority for snow operations for clearing of roads is Crosstowns and Mains>>Side Streets>>Dead Ends, Alleys and Private ways. Dead ends and private ways are challenging for a number of reasons. Unlike other streets, Dead ends have no outlet to push the snow. Private ways are often narrow, and often have cars parked on both sides, even in a snow emergency. Private dead ends have both problems.  

Historically, dead ends and private ways were done either after our geographically divided major plow routes were completed, or by dividing the list of dead ends into several small routes, cleared by a contractor using small equipment throughout the storm. This operation would often go beyond the ending of the snow and often required the removal of snow rather than just plowing. 

In the time since our last major storm (January 2022), our contractors have changed. This recent storm the strategy was to divide the list into three smaller routes and have contractors maintain it with three small plows in a rotation. Obviously, this was not the right fit for the storm, but given the nature of the snowfall, and the narrowness and geography of the street, it was difficult to pivot mid-storm. If you live on a dead end street or a private way and had to wait longer than usual for plowing,  please accept my apology and know that we are working to fix this.  

Here’s what we’re going to do better for the next storm. We have secured additional equipment from our existing contractors, and the new plan is as follows for dead ends: 

• We will use GIS to divide the dead ends and private ways into four routes.
• We will have four plows and four bobcats dividing up the routes and rotating throughout the storm. They will push snow out of the streets and onto the corners.
• After the storm, we will send a truck and a small loader to collect snow piles if necessary.  

Additionally, DPW has identified a new small contractor that we can use on an existing contract. They provide 2 additional plow trucks, 2 bobcats, and 3 tri-axles for hauling.  

In a snowstorm of this magnitude, there are very few places to put the snow. That’s why we’re constantly balancing between competing goals: to clear as much space as possible on the street, and to avoid dumping snow on the sidewalks that were just cleared. To balance these needs, we don’t always plow to the curb as the storm winds down. But if snow gets pushed onto the sidewalk, even after you took the time to shovel, please be a good neighbor and clear it off. And if this happened to you, and we run into each other in the neighborhood, drinks are on me.  

We are confident going into the next storm, but it will take all of us together to make it work – helping one another, shoveling walkways and following emergency regulations. My team and I are here for any thoughts or feedback you have. Throughout the storm, you can always reach out to 311 with your questions and concerns -- and encouragement for our hard-working crews. 

Thanks again to all of our residents and to our DPW who keep our city running in all weather!  

- Mayor Jake Wilson