Snow and Ice Removal Policy
Snow Removal Policy:
- General - One of the most important duties of the Lincoln Public Works Department is control of snow and ice. The Department is responsible for snow and ice control on 51 miles of roadways and 15 miles of paved pathways. We also clear snow from the Town’s Transfer Station. Public Schools, Town Buildings, Public Housing and Cemeteries.
All winter storms are different, and can be difficult to predict. The Department consults and reviews weather reports from several different sources. When a winter storm is forecast, the Department begins to develop an action plan for that storm event. Being a small department; we battle the storms with a combination of regular Public Works employees, hired drivers, and hired equipment. The Town is divided into 9 separate plow routes. Coordination of all snow and ice clearing activities is performed from the Public Works office at 30 Lewis Street. It can be a formidable and complex task to plan for a storm event, call crews in, organize the crews, and implement the appropriate strategy to adequately handle the storms.
During a major storm event, the Department can have up to 25 pieces of equipment in operation. Our first priority is the main routes in Town, Routes 126, 117, Lincoln Road, Bedford Road, and Trapelo Road are all main routes that get primary attention. Secondary roads such as Weston Road and Sandy Pond Road are next on the priority list, but are typically done at the same time as the primary routes. Residential side streets are third on the priority list. The side streets are included within the 9 plow routes, but sometimes require less maintenance than the main and secondary roads. The paved pathway on Lincoln Road from Lincoln Mall to the Center will be plowed as soon as possible, usually at the end of the storm, to facilitate students walking to school. The other pathways in Town will be cleared as soon as possible the days following the storm.
Snow plowing typically begins when the snow accumulation approaches 2 inches. Pre-treating the roadway may occur before that, possibly even before the first snow flake hits the ground. Plowing activities will continue as needed through the storm. Once the snowfall has ended, post storm related activities begin. This may mean that a final treatment of sand/salt is applied. Related storm clean-up will be undertaken in the days following the storm. The hours required to adequately handle a storm can be extraordinarily long and intense, with operations conducted during the most severe weather and driving conditions.
- Driveways – Individual property owners are responsible for removing snow from in front of their driveways. The Department tries to minimize the amount of snow that gets plowed into driveways. Due to the nature of street plowing, snow does get plowed into driveways as the trucks pass. You may wish to clear your driveway several times during a storm or wait until the storm and plowing activities have ended to clear your driveway. Shoveling or plowing snow back into the street is prohibited.
- Mailboxes – Individual property owners are responsible for removing the snow from in front of their mailboxes. On occasion, some mailboxes may be damaged due to plowing operations. The primary cause of mailbox damage is heavy snow discharged from the snow blade. On rare occasions, a mailbox is struck by a plow due to reduced visibility during a snowstorm and/or snow banks. Hence, all residents are encouraged to place mailboxes at the maximum allowable distance from the pavement.
- Sand – Residents can pickup sand, free of charge at the Public Works Building located at 30 Lewis Street. We ask that you limit your pickup to one (1) 5 gallon bucket per week. Sand is available to Lincoln residents only. No commercial use is allowed.
- Salt – Salt or other melting agents are not available. Residents can pickup rock salt and/or other melting agents at the local hardware store.
- New Technologies – The Public Works Department is consistently looking for new and innovative methods and equipment to improve our snow and ice operations. The Department is committed to ensuring that the roads are treated in the most environmentally sensitive methods possible. Snow and ice control, not unlike most business, is subject to continued technological improvement.
Finally, please have patience. Snow plowing is a time consuming and laborious job covering approximately 51 miles of road. Some residents will have their road plowed first and some will be last, but all town roads will be cleared. The Highway Department is devoted to providing the residents with dependable snow removal in the shortest time possible.
Snow & Ice Removal Questions & Answers
Q. Who do I call about snow removal issues?
A. The Lincoln Public Works Department at 30 Lewis Street keeps a Snow and Ice Operations Center open during all storms. Contact the Operations Center at 781-259-8999.
Q. Who Determines When the Schools Will Be Closed?
A. The School Department and the Public Works Department keep in contact during storm events. The School Department will typically make a decision by 6:00 A.M. regarding the cancellation of school, and will post the information on local television and radio stations.
Q. When will the Town plow my street?
A. Handling a snow storm can sometimes be a tricky and complex task as: crews and equipment have to be called in and assigned their routes, material and trucks have to be loaded, and the storm has to be closely monitored. The Department focuses on the main routes first followed by the secondary routes and then residential streets. The Department will get to your street as soon as we can.
Q. Does the Town plow the pathways?
A. Every effort is made to clear the pathway on Lincoln Road between the Mall and Trapelo Road immediately after a snow storm. This is to facilitate walkers to school. All the other paved pathways will be cleared as soon as possible in the subsequent days following a storm.
Q. Does the Highway Department remove snow from other locations?
A. Yes, the Department removes snow from the schools, cemeteries, commuter parking areas, public housing, Town Hall, and other public buildings.
Q. Is sand and/or salt available for town residents?
A. Sand is available for Lincoln residents only at the Public Works facility at 30 Lewis Street. We ask that you limit your use to one (1) 5 gallon bucket per week. Salt is not available, but salt or other melting materials can be purchased at local hardware stores.
Q. Why is the snow from the street pushed into the end of my driveway?
A. This situation is unavoidable. As the plows remove the snow from the roadway, it is pushed into the driveway.
Q. Why do the plows push back the snow at the corners?
A. Snow is pushed back at street intersections in order to preserve sight lines for drivers and for pedestrians and for street drainage. Large snow mounds at street corners create a hazard for the driver and walker alike.
Q. Can I push the snow from my property onto the street?
A. No. This is an unsafe practice and against the Town regulations.
Q. Can I park my car in the street during snow storms?
A. No. The vehicle will be in the way of snow removal activities. Vehicles that hinder snow removal activities may be ticketed and towed at the owners expense
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