Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Reading spent money on contractors, overtime and more.
Reading spent a lot of money on the blizzard of '13. The town needed to plow and salt the roads for three days and nights. The town has 100 miles of road and 46 miles of sidewalk, according to DPW Director Jeffrey T. Zager. The total amount spent on the blizzard was approximately $245,000. According to Zager, the estimated cost of the storm, $245,000, includes all contractor plowing, hauling, DPW overtime, salt, fuel, and more. That figure also includes three nights of snow removal downtown and in adjacent areas. The FY 13 snow and ice budget appropriation was $600,000. The DPW used $300,000 before the storm on "pre storm winter spending." "Prior to this storm we had 12 events, nine were salting and sanding, two were plowing, and one was a…
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Are you satisfied or frustrated with how the town handled the area’s 5th largest snowstorm in history? Let us know by posting a comment below.
Now that the snow has fallen, and started to melt, it’s your time to rate how the town’s plows handled the more than two feet of snow that fell Friday and Saturday. Feel free to give praise or thanks, express frustrations or offer up constructive criticism in the comments below, and keep in mind, the blizzard was the 5th largest snowstorm in New England history. Winter Storm: Reading Information Center Snow Photos: Stick Your Camera Out the Window VIDEO: Sledding Fun in Reading How Much Snow Did Reading Get?
Monday, February 11, 2013
The National Weather Service provides the total.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), Reading got 26.2 inches of snow during the blizzard of '13. As of 2:10 p.m. on Feb. 9, Reading had just over 26 inches of snow on the ground, the NWS reported. Around the same time on Feb. 9, Wilmington had 29 inches and Stoneham had 22 inches, according to the NWS. Take a look at other local totals.
Kids spent Sunday sledding behind the Barrows School.
After the blizzard of '13 was over and the shoveling was complete, parents took their kids to the Barrows School for some sledding Sunday. Take a look at the clips and photos attached.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Due to the blizzard, there will be no school in Reading on Monday.
Due to the blizzard of '13, there will be no school in Reading on Monday, Feb. 11. According to Superintendent John Doherty, the roads and sidewalks are not safe for students. "It is primarily due to road and sidewalk conditions, particularly near the school areas. It would not be safe for students to walk to school or to get dropped off at the schools," he said.
An update from Town Hall.
The following was submitted by Town Manager Peter I. Hechenbleikner: Reading received 24 +/- inches of snow in the blizzard of 2013. All roads are passable thanks to the excellent work of our DPW employees and contractors, who worked over 36 hours straight to keep the Town of Reading operational. The driving ban and on street parking ban helped to facilitate the storm response, and we appreciate residents continued cooperation as we continue to address the impact of this storm.. While all roads are passable, most are still snow packed, and they are very narrow. Most sidewalks are not yet cleared. Motorists and pedestrians need to use extreme caution. Remember, it is a violation of Town bylaw to place snow on a Town Street or sidewalk. …
Tell us about the condition of the roads in Reading.
After the blizzard of '13, Reading has over two feet of snow on the ground. We've heard some complaints about the roads in Reading. Are they still covered in snow? Are the roads plowed yet? Tell us what you think about the condition of the roads in the comments section below. Should the town have more plows out?
The blizzard did not cause much damage.
The blizzard of '13 will always be remembered, but not for power outages and accidents. As a result of the blizzard, Reading saw about two feet of snow and residents spent a lot of time shoveling. However, no power outages were reported to us or the police department. According to police, it was quiet over the last two days. Take a look at some of our storm related articles: Winter Storm: Reading Information Center Snow Photos: Stick Your Camera Out the Window! Transcript: Blizzard of '13 Live Chat Share Your Photos: How Much Snow Do You Have? What Do You Think About Gov. Patrick’s Travel Ban? MBTA Winter Weather Info and Resources Why Do Snowstorms Have Names Now?
We want to see your photos of the storm!
Light, fluffy snow on rooftops can act as a sponge for rain, which is in the forecast for Monday. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency offers these tips.
With rain in Reading's forecast for Monday, the Blizzard of '13 may not be finished wreaking havoc in Massachusetts. While temperatures dropped overnight on Friday resulting in light, fluffy snow, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) warns that fluffy snow piled high on roofs can act as a sponge, absorbing rain and adding additional stress to structures. Relatively flat roofs are particularly vulnerable, MEMA says. In other cases, roof ice dams have formed causing water build-up, leading to interior damage. These conditions can accelerate the snowmelt. To minimize the risk of over-stressing a building roof due to accumulated or drifting snow: Information from a release by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA…
Dave Miskinis
9:51 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
The money is in the pockets of the town snow plow drivers, payroll taxes are with Duval and Barack. How's that make you feel? more ›