Worcester to change the way it handles snow operations
Worcester is already anticipating the challenges it might encounter with snow removal this winter, and is taking steps to be proactive about them.
On September 20, the city council gave its preliminary approval to the idea of creating two new positions of winter operations coordinator, with each taking the responsibility for supervising snow inspectors’ work in half the city during storms. The two coordinators will report directly to Paul J. Moosey, the commissioner of public works and parks.
In addition, the council agreed to pay more for the private equipment it hires for sanding streets and plowing snow. Worcester’s yearly budget for winter operations comes to approximately $4m, much of which goes to hire private companies to clear its streets. There are 515 miles of streets in Worcester, requiring 457 vehicles to plow, sand, and salt them. Of these, 380 (83%) are hired from private companies.
According to Edward M. Augustus, Jr., the city manager, Worcester has had some difficulty leasing the private equipment, because it pays its contractors at much lower rates than they can get from the state, or even from some other cities. That has led to the council agreeing to pay more for the equipment it needs.
Cities like these can benefit by working with flyer printing companies, which can create detailed materials for mailing to residents, explaining community issues.
On September 20, the city council gave its preliminary approval to the idea of creating two new positions of winter operations coordinator, with each taking the responsibility for supervising snow inspectors’ work in half the city during storms. The two coordinators will report directly to Paul J. Moosey, the commissioner of public works and parks.
In addition, the council agreed to pay more for the private equipment it hires for sanding streets and plowing snow. Worcester’s yearly budget for winter operations comes to approximately $4m, much of which goes to hire private companies to clear its streets. There are 515 miles of streets in Worcester, requiring 457 vehicles to plow, sand, and salt them. Of these, 380 (83%) are hired from private companies.
According to Edward M. Augustus, Jr., the city manager, Worcester has had some difficulty leasing the private equipment, because it pays its contractors at much lower rates than they can get from the state, or even from some other cities. That has led to the council agreeing to pay more for the equipment it needs.
Cities like these can benefit by working with flyer printing companies, which can create detailed materials for mailing to residents, explaining community issues.