The following is a quick overview of the Montague DPW plow operation.
First Step: When the storm begins, we will sand/salt all main roads, hills, and intersections, this is to help maintain traffic safety, and help the snow from bonding to the road surface. If there is only a dusting to inch of snow then all secondary side street will also be sanded. It will take 5 to 6 hours to sand all roads.
Second Step: Plowing will start when the acclamation of snow reaches approximately 3 inches it could start sooner if predictions call for more. When plowing is to begin there will be 15 pieces of equipment sent out to pre-determined routes, clearing all streets, plowing operations could take between 9 and 10 hours to clear all 108 miles of road that the town has.
Third Step: After the storm is finished and plowing operations are done the sanding operation will begin again and sand all roads through out town, this operation is done with 5 trucks and will take another 5 to 6 hours.
Fourth Step: During the day plowing operations are difficult at best with cars and traffic so when all is said and done a small crew of two or three will come back to work after midnight and push back and clean the down town areas.
