- Last Updated: Apr 8, 2018,3: pm Apr 8, 2018,3: pm
TOWN OF NORWELL - HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
When snow warnings are issued, residents of the Town of Norwell are requested to keep their cars off all streets to avoid damage to their vehicles and to expedite the plowing and sanding operations. According to the Town By-Laws:
Article X, Section 11:
"The Highway Surveyor may for the purpose of removing or plowing snow, or removing ice, from any public way, remove or cause to be removed, to some convenient place, including any public garage any vehicle which interferes with the removal or plowing of such snow, or the removal of such ice. In the event that such vehicles so removed, the owner of such vehicle shall be liable for the cost of such removal for the storage charges, if any, resulting therefrom, but shall not, notwithstanding any other provisions of these By-Laws, be otherwise liable to any fine, penalty or other charge solely by reason of the fact that such vehicle was interfering with such plowing or removal."
Article X, Section 12:
"No person shall pipe or otherwise deposit in or upon any public street or public place, any water or other substances which may freeze and thereby create a hazardous condition."
Article I, Section 9:
"Every violation of the Norwell By-Laws, not otherwise provided for herein or by the General Laws or Special Laws of the Commonwealth, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred and fifty ($150.00) dollars, and all penalties recovered from such violations shall be paid into the Town Treasury to accrue for such use as the Town shall from time to time direct."
The Town is NOT responsible for damaged lawns, fences, steps, shrubs, trees, sprinklerheads, or mailboxes etc., that are within the street layout.
To report unplowed streets during a snowstorm, call the Highway Office directly Monday & Tuesday, 8:00 a.m.-4:15 p.m., Wednesday 8:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Thursday 8:00 am- 4:00 pm, & Friday 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, at 659-8042, or the Highway Garage 659-7094.
The Recycling Center will be closed during and after snow & ice operations until the facility has been deemed safe by the Highway Surveyor or his designee.
Sand may be obtained by Norwell Residents at the Highway Garage, for emergency use ONLY, at 310 Main Street.
Contractors plowing while employed by the Town, cannot be hired or requested to clear private driveways or walks; in any emergency situation the Highway Surveyor and/or Board of Selectmen have the authority to use their discretion regarding this matter.
Private driveways and/or common driveways that were named only for location purposes, will not be plowed by the Town. The following list of private roadways will be plowed only after all public ways and buildings have been plowed; Paradise Drive to standpipe, and Hoop Pole Lane.
It is the Town's policy to remove snow and/or ice as quickly and efficiently as possible from both the main roads and the "secondary" residential roads. When possible, the Town uses salt, sand, and liquids de-icers for snow/ice removal. In the event of larger snowfalls, the Town then resorts to plowing utilizing town forces and its Contractors. The Towns goal is to provide safe roads for lts residents and the traveling public.
According to the provisions set forth at the Annual Town Meeting, April 30, 1991, by the Towns' people and the Highway Surveyor, subdivisions and dead-end subdivisions that are public ways will be sanded with a reduced salt to sand mixture. Caution should be applied in the "No Salt Zones" within the Town of Norwell.
Residents can assist the Highway Department during a snow storm by heeding these suggestions:
- Reduce your speed and drive cautiously
- Remain off the road during snow storms unless absolutely necessary
- Do not plow, blow, or deposit snow back into the road
- Do not allow children to make "snow forts" at the edge of the roads/sidewalks
- Do not get over confident in your 4x4 vehicle. Remember that if you are driving a four wheel drive vehicle, the vehicle may help you get going quicker but, it won't help you stop any quicker.
Glenn Ferguson
Norwell Highway Surveyor