Town updates on the snow storm
Crews from the Hampden County Sheriff's Office help with snow removal operations. Source: Town of Dartmouth Facebook Page
Crews from the Hampden County Sheriff's Office help with snow removal operations. Source: Town of Dartmouth Facebook Page
About three days after the Blizzard of 26 hit Dartmouth, Town Administrator Cody Haddad held a public update on Dartmouth Community Television.
“We have had round the clock meetings, phone calls while many of you were probably sleeping, our team was meeting to make sure that we had the best plan in place to keep our community safe and continue access to our residents,” said Haddad.
According to Haddad, at its peak about 5,000 residents had lost power. As of 1 p.m., only 150 were left without power.
All Dartmouth Public Schools, as well as the Council on Aging, will continue to be closed on Thursday, Feb. 26.
While the state-wide travel ban has been lifted, the town continues to implement a parking ban. They also ask that residents stay off the roads when possible, so that the Department of Public Works can continue clearing the roads.
The plows caused damage to some mailboxes around town. Residents whose mailboxes were damaged can fill out a form available on the Public Works website and either email it to tbarber@dartmouthma.gov or drop off at the Public Works office at 759 Russells Mills Road. These applications will not be handled until after the storm has been handled.
All town facilities opened at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 25, and will resume regular operating hours on Thursday, Feb. 26. The library will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. The Council on Aging will follow school closures.
Haddad asks that residents clear the fire hydrants on or near their property at their earliest convenience. He also asks that people check in on their elderly neighbors.
Public Works has 38 workers, 10 workers from Hampden County and a number of private contractors working to clear the roads. During the peak of the storm, about seven or eight plows broke and were stuck in the snow.
For all general concerns, contact the Select Board at 508-910-1813. For Public Works concerns, contact them at 508-999-0740. Do not contact 911 for general concerns, keep the line open for emergencies.
Trash pick up has been canceled for this week, and will resume its normal hours starting on Monday, March 2. The transfer station, located at 976 Russells Mills Road, will be open on Thursday, Feb. 26 and Saturday, Feb. 28.
“That’s really what makes Dartmouth such a great place, the community support that we have,” said Haddad.
