Town of Pepperell — Snow & Ice Season Reminder

Winter weather can be an inconvenience for some and can be frustrating. The DPW’s primary responsibility is to keep the roads clear, and our operations can take place for hours beyond the end of the snow fall. There will be occasions that our snowplowing activities will impact an already cleared driveway. Please understand that the Town plows cannot clear out the end of your driveway nor can the Town plow private property.

The Town of Pepperell DPW reminds all residents to follow the Town’s Snow & Ice Removal By-Law to help keep our roads and sidewalks safe: Snow & Ice Removal By-Law

No person — other than a Town employee acting in an official capacity — may direct, discharge, dump, plow, blow, shovel, or deposit snow, ice, or water subject to freezing onto, into, or across any public way, including streets and public sidewalks.

This means:

• Do not push or blow driveway or walkway snow into the street.
• Do not place snow where it could melt and refreeze on public ways.
• Keep sidewalks clear without shifting snow onto the roadway.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS 

Travel Safety

• During winter storms, please avoid driving unless absolutely necessary. Fewer vehicles on the road allow DPW crews to clear routes more quickly and safely.
• Do not allow your children to play in or on roadside snowbanks. Snowplows need to travel at constant speeds and cannot slow down quick enough to prevent injury to children playing in snowbanks.

Mailboxes

Our DPW plow operators take every reasonable precaution to avoid damaging mailboxes located within the Town’s rights-of-way. However, experience has shown that with reduced visibility during a storm, and the heights of the snowbanks, it is not always possible for a driver to avoid mailbox damage, the vast majority of damage is caused by the snow that comes off of the end of the plow. There is a tremendous amount of force contained in the discharge, and mailboxes and posts that are not securely constructed or sufficiently maintained can easily be damaged by this force. The following video illustrates just how easily a mailbox and / post can be damaged without being physically struck by the plow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFycE9Welqs

NOTE: Any unauthorized installations within the Town’s rights-of-way, including walls, fences, mailboxes, irrigation systems, etc., are placed there at the owner’s risk. The town does not assume responsibility for replacing damaged private installations in the Town’s rights-of-way. The Town’s rights-of-way area typically extends approximately 10 feet to 15 feet from the edge of the road into your property. Most damage to mailboxes occurs as a result of them being set too close to the edge of the pavement or deterioration of the post. To help reduce the possibility of a broken mailbox, residents are encouraged to install mailboxes at the maximum distance from the paved road while still allowing for United States Postal Service access. 

Basketball Hoops and other personal property

Any personal property, such as basketball hoops, located near the edge of pavement should be removed to avoid damage to the personal property and to the snow equipment. Basketball nets, hoops, and backboards are not permitted within the Town’s roadway right-of-way. These create hazards for plow operators, damage equipment, and slow down snow-clearing operations. Please remove any portable or mounted hoops that extend into or above the roadway area before winter storms begin.

Trash

If it snows on your trash collection day, place your recycling bins and trash bags away from the edge of the road. Our plow operators cannot plow around bins and bags and cannot stop to pick up spilled bins or trash bags.

Thank you for helping keep Pepperell safe and accessible during the winter season. If you have questions or need additional guidance, please contact the Department of Public Works Highway Department.

Email: highway@town.pepperell.ma.us
office: 978-925-4433