Last-minute storm preparations underway in communities set to get the most snow
SUDBURY - As the season's first winter storm approaches, communities west of Boston are preparing for the most snow.
Crews are gearing up in Sudbury getting the trucks loaded with salt. It's the kind of activity they haven't seen here in awhile, but they're liking the timing of this one.
"We don't have to deal with the commuting traffic, particularly on the tight roads that we have in Sudbury. It alleviates that," said DPW Commissioner Dan Nason.
At least 44 pieces of equipment have been readied in the last few days for the job, which in this area could be fairly sizeable.
"My guys like the overtime, we deal with it, we've been doing it for sometime," said Sudbury Director of Operations David Smith.
At Robinson's Hardware in Framingham owner Joe Deignan hasn't seen his stock this empty in awhile from ice melt to shovels and even snowblowers that are finally selling.
"Normally all these pegs are full with at least six shovels on every peg. You can see what's left here now. If you're playing craps everybody has been rolling good numbers for the last couple of years but they're all coming up sevens now," said Deignan.
Carl Gooch was grabbing some last minute sand. "I'm a little nervous because we haven't had this much snow for awhile," he said.
Wayne Kent had marching orders to get the ice melt. "We were due for some snow and my wife sent me here to make sure we have everything. The supplies are empty."
And when it comes to the bread and milk, supermarket parking lots in Framingham were jammed with cars, while some of the shelves were already thinning out. Stephanie Dutcher was one of those getting in the grocery shopping for some comfort food.
"The usual and I don't want to leave my house on Sunday if I don't have to," she said.
In Oxford, it's the snow event Galasso Landscaping has been waiting for, as crews gear up to dig out Worcester County businesses and commercial properties.
The plow blades are sharp, and the brine system is ready for a throw down.
"This winter has been a slow one coming, but it's here now. Mother nature, she showed her face and we're ready," said Michael Karrmann, supervisor at Galasso Landscaping.
That snow means white gold, especially when it's been a mild winter. The business is making sure the 14 plow trucks and spreader and 100 tons of salt won't miss an opportunity.
"A bit of our secret sauce is timing the pretreating and getting a good application of the salt prior to the storm. It helps to speed things up and keep things moving smoothly through out the storm," said Karrmann.
The request from crews is to please allow them to do their jobs in the upcoming storm.
"Just be courteous to everybody. It's winter, we all have to go through it, be nice and help out when you can," said Karrmann.
Worcester has implemented a parking ban starting at 10 p.m. on Saturday. Residents can park in municipal garages starting at 7 p.m.
Residents are asked to use one of the garages listed below:
Pearl & Elm Garage - 20 Pearl St.
Worcester Common Garage - 3 Eaton Place
Union Station Garage - 225 Franklin St.
Major Taylor Blvd Garage - 30 Major Taylor Blvd.
