The highway department services nearly 175 miles of roads, doing resurfacing, road improvements, and snow removal. The department is also responsible for care of the common grounds around municipal buildings except the schools.
Westford’s Storm Strategy
The Town of Westford Highway Department has over 175 miles of roads to maintain. In an effort to make the snow season as safe as possible, we offer the following tips and information. Please remember that each storm is different so our strategy must be adjusted accordingly to achieve the best results.
The Highway Department staff is well trained and dedicated to plow around the clock if necessary, to keep the roadways open and passable. If a plow truck is riding with its plow up, please do not be misled. They may be returning to the garage for fuel or repairs or might be headed to another section of town to assist with snow removal.
Please be advised that Littleton Rd. (Rte 110), Route 495, Powers Rd. and a portion of Boston Rd. are maintained by Mass Highway.
Residents should not be concerned if they do not see their roadway plowed during the early part of a snowstorm. The Highway Department follows an assigned route plan where main roads and hills are plowed first. Please be patient, all town owned roads will eventually be plowed.
When The Snow Begins
When a snowstorm begins the Department responds by treating all roads with deicing chemicals. Treating the road surfaces serves two purposes - preventing snow and ice from bonding to the surface and to keep traffic flowing. Treating the roads takes approximately 21/2 – 3 hours. Please remember that our crews have to travel on snow covered, slippery untreated roads to get here at any hour of the day or night. Please be patient as the crews will be out as soon as possible to begin snow removal operations.
During The Storm
Plowing operations begin when there is an accumulation of 2 to 4 inches of snow on road surfaces. Depending upon the severity of the storm, Town forces are assisted by hired contractors to expedite the process of snow removal. Each vehicle is assigned to a pre-determined route and will remain there until the storm subsides unless an emergency occurs that requires reassignment of equipment from one location to another. The main objective is to keep all roads passable during the storm. Unfortunately, it is not possible to keep the roads free of snow without filling in many driveways; therefore, when you clean the end of your driveway, deposit the excess snow to the downstream side of your driveway. This will minimize the redeposit of snow into the cleared opening when the plow makes its next pass.
Please do not shovel, plow or blow snow or ice into the roadway. It is not only illegal, but can be a serious traffic hazard.
If you have a private contractor plowing your driveway please make sure to remind them of this as you will be held responsible for their actions.
The Town of Westford does not perform winter maintenance on sidewalks. Residents are encouraged to clear sidewalks in front of their property.
Following The Storm
After plowing is completed, roads are given a final treatment of deicing chemical. In the days following a storm, scraping and treating of roads continues depending upon weather forecasts. If colder weather is forecasted streets must be scraped of snow and slush to prevent icing of the surface when the temperature drops and also to widen the road edge so that drainage structures are exposed if the temperatures rise and melting occurs. As time allows, snow is removed from intersections where sight distance is a concern.
Winter Parking Ban
Residents are reminded that a winter parking ban is in effect from November 1st until April 1st.
On-street parking is prohibited overnight or when snow operations are in effect.
Vehicles that are illegally parked will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense if they interfere with snow removal operations.
Recycling and Trash Containers
Please ensure that the curbside pickup of recycables or trash containers do not interfere with snow removal efforts.
Fire Hydrants
Fire hydrants are under the control of the Westford Water Department. The Water Department asks residents with hydrants in front of or near their property to please clear the snow away from the area so that in an emergency the hydrant will be accessible.
Questions regarding snow removal near hydrants should be directed to the Westford Water Department at (978)692-5529.
Sand and Salt
A mixture of sand and salt is available to residents (no contractors) at the designated area located outside of the gates at the Highway Garage on Beacon Street.
Town Right-of-Way
Homeowners should be aware that in most instances they do not own the land up to the edge of road pavement or sidewalk. The Town generally owns the land from the edge of roadway up to 15 feet back depending on the particular road. There may be underground utilities within these areas and homeowners should be careful as to what they place in these areas.
Trees, shrubbery, fences, lawn sprinkler systems or gardens within the right-of-way may be damaged during snow removal operations.
The Town will not be responsible for damage to such items within the right-of-way.
Spring Repairs
Sometimes the grass strips along the roads are damaged while plowing. The Highway Department works to repair these areas as soon as possible. It may take until mid summer to repair these areas. The repair of grass surfaces generally consists of raking out the ruts and seeding with a standard highway grass seed. If your landscaping needs are such that this is unacceptable, you may choose to repair these areas on your own earlier in the spring.
Basketball Nets
Basketball posts and nets are prohibited from being installed in the Town of Westford’s right-of-way.
Mailboxes
Listed below is the Town of Westford’s Mailbox Policy. By following this policy you will minimize damage to your mailbox from snow & ice removal.
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