City manager: Post-blizzard cleanup continues
In Worcester, the aftermath of Monday and Tuesday’s blizzard means another day off today for public schoolchildren, and another day hard at work for street crews.
Salting and widening the roadways in the city will likely continue through the weekend, according to the city’s communications director, John F. Hill. With more snow in the forecast for tonight and early next week, and February at the doorstep, Department of Public Works plows are working to push back snow and widen streets.
The DPW expects to begin hauling away snow to the Worcester Regional Airport this weekend.
“This was a record-breaking event that dropped nearly three feet of snow in our laps,” City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. said in the statement from the city Wednesday afternoon. “That amount of snow will take time to clean up.”
The city manager praised the public for staying off the roads during the worst of the snow, observing the winter parking ban, and helping out by shoveling out nearby fire hydrants. He urged residents to continue that spirit as the cleanup continues.
“This storm has been a great example of city government and the community working together under difficult circumstances,” Augustus said
The city is tracking expenses and looking into the possibility of FEMA reimbursement for some of the storm costs. The offices of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. James McGovern, Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito have offered their support in those efforts, the statement said.
Worcester officials expect to start enforcement Thursday of the city’s sidewalk ordinance, which requires property owners or residents to shovel a clear path on all sidewalks and corners adjacent to their property. “The city plans to be understanding in its enforcement of that ordinance, given the amount of snow, but expects residents to do their part to make sidewalks passable for their neighbors and children when they return to school,” the statement said.
The parking ban is still in place and may continue through the next round of storms, depending on the forecast.
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