Snow Plowing Information

Snow removal from Municipal Roadways

The Marion Department of Public Works (DPW) is ready for the inevitable snow and ice that occurs annually. The DPW will continue to carry out a complete snow and ice control program on all accepted streets within the Town of Marion. The DPW hopes the following information on how Marion’s winter road maintenance program works will assist the residents. 

When Snowfall Starts 

An important step in dealing with snowfall is street and roadway salting and sanding, as soon as the snowfall starts. 

This prevents the snow from becoming compacted and frozen to the roadway surface. Our priority is given to the town’s main roads. Early application of salt and sand mixture can reduce the total material required as well as keeping the roads in better condition. 

When the Snowfall Continues 

When two to three inches of snow have accumulated, the plowing of the snow from the roadway begins. Our first responsibility is to keep the main roads open. These roads are the key to maintaining a steady flow of traffic, most residents live within a few hundred yards or so from these roads. 

The plows then continue to plow accepted town streets on the route to “open up’ each one in sequence. If the storm continues in intensity, the plow trucks remain in the same pattern until the storms abate. When that condition occurs, the trucks then begin to “widen out” all roads pushing the accumulated snow back to the edge of the road and clearing the intersections. Please remember, if possible, wait until the roadway has been plowed, and “widened out” before clearing out the end of your driveway. These men and women who operate the plow trucks are well trained and dedicated to working round the clock during such storms, to keep the roads open and passable. 

To help reduce the possibility of a broken mailbox post, Marion DPW plow operators are urged to take precautions to avoid hitting mailboxes. However, experience has shown that with reduced visibility during a storm, it is sometimes not possible for a driver to see a mailbox in time to avoid striking it. Most times however, mailboxes are broken by wet heavy snow, which “curls” off the plow and is pushed onto the shoulder. Any installation within the road layout or the road right-a-way, including a mailbox, is placed there at the owner’s risk. Therefore, owners are strongly encouraged to put mailboxes at the maximum usable distance from the roadway pavement. A distance of three to four feet is highly recommended for the installation of your mailbox. 

After the Snow is Over 

Crews continue to monitor all roads for icy spots and drifting snow. Usually, an application of sand and salt is applied to all streets and roads so that the riding surface remains drivable.  

How Can You Help 

    • Make certain your vehicle is ready for winter driving. 
    • Reduce your speed. This is the #1 cause of winter accidents.  
    • Do not drive in winter storms unless necessary and please park well off the road, and please do not park your car with the nose of the vehicle sticking out of the driveway. 
    • Before your final driveway cleanup check the street. If the street is clean and full width, you are safe. Please understand that the town cannot shovel or plow out the end of your driveway, nor can the town crews plow private property. 
    • It is a violation of Massachusetts General Laws to push or blow snow across a street or road or onto a sidewalk. 
    • If there is a catch basin in front of your house, you can help us by making sure it is kept clear of snow. If there is a fire hydrant, clear it if you can so that the Fire Department can locate it. 

Finally, please be patient. Whether it is your driveway for which you are responsible or the many miles of roads that the town is responsible for, snow removal is an arduous and time-consuming job. Your DPW workers and our hired plows do not get a shift change. If a storm is of long duration, the workers continue around the clock until the job is done. We strive for the safest streets in the shortest period. 

The Marion DPW thanks you for your cooperation and continued support. 

Snow Removal from Private Roadways

The following standards were compiled to address snow and ice removal operation on private roads/ways in the Town of Marion. Surface conditions, widths, clearances, and roadside obstacles are identified as obstructions to safe, and cost-effective snow and ice removal operations. These issues impede emergency responses for rescue personnel and can cause considerable damage to snowplow equipment, which in turn causes delays in snow removal efforts in other parts of town. Gated areas, condominiums, and common driveways are not considered private roads. The minimum standards are as follows.

 Applications are only accepted between April 15th – October 15th

  1. A private way will not be plowed if a Planning Board decision or a covenant places the responsibility with the developer or the homeowners.
  2. Specifically excluded from plowing are non-municipal multi-unit housing complexes, parking lots, shopping center plazas, malls and similar areas.
  3. The private way must be safe for plowing equipment to enter the road. The road surface of the private way must be paved in a manner acceptable to the Department of Public Works Director and be in good repair and the way must be no less than (10) feet in width and open to the public throughout its entire length.
  4. The private way, at the time of plowing, must be clear of vehicles.
  5. The majority of owners of said private way must sign an agreement releasing and waving any liability against the Town, its officers, contractors, representatives, agents and employees and indemnify and hold harmless the Town, its officers, contractors, agents and employees from any and all damages.

The height clearance shall be not less that (14’) feet from the road surface. This is to ensure access to snowplows and emergency vehicles.

The roadside shoulder shall be free of any obstacles, on both sides of the way, including vegetation, fences, mailboxes, stone walls, rocks, shrubs, trees, cobblestones, basketball hoops or any other objects that may interfere with snow removal equipment. The shoulder shall be maintained for no less than two (2) feet on both sides of the roadway.

There shall be an overall minimum of (14’) feet by (14’) feet corridor free from vegetation and foreign objects.

Shell and stone roadways will not be plowed.

There must be sufficient room for emergency vehicles and Town plows to turn in a safe manner if the road is a dead end.

All private roads/ways (paved and unpaved) shall be free of defects (potholes or rutting) exceeding (3”) three inches in depth. All potholes shall be filled to the approximate level of the roadway. Catch basins and manhole covers shall be at or below grade. 

All private roads/ways shall have a visible street sign installed and maintained in accordance with the specifications set forth in the manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, published by the Federal Highway Administrator.

The Director of the Department of Public Works and/or designee will determine, in its sole discretion, when roads need plowing. Snow removal before roads have frozen in the winter, or thawed in the spring, can damage improvements made to a gravel road. Many snowstorms of (6”) inches of snow or less will melt within a few days. Therefore, the Department of Public Works would avoid plowing these areas, because resulting damage may outweigh the benefits.

The minimum standards outlined above are meant to serve as guidelines. It is understood that there will be exceptions to these standards. Exceptions will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

The Department of Public Works shall inspect all private roads/ways prior to the winter season. The owners of said private roads/ways shall maintain said roads throughout the winter season. Residents on these roads should contact the Department of Public Works after the necessary repairs or maintenance to schedule an inspection. Seventy-two (72) hour notice must be given to the Department of Public Works to have the road inspected.

The Town of Marion, its contractors, representatives, agents and employees, shall not be held liable for any damage to private property while performing snow removal operations.

Private property such as, but not limited to, stone walls, fences, irrigation lines, cobblestones, mailboxes, lawns, shrubs or trees adjacent to the way and damaged because of snow operations will not be repaired or replaced by the Town or its agents.

Any questions regarding these standards, please contact the Marion Department of Public Works at 508-748-3540