It’s been a challenging snow season for plowing crews, whether independent contractors or workers for the state, county and towns. At last week’s Town Council meeting, Twisp Public Works Director Andrew Denham explained what his employees have been doing since the big snowfall hit earlier — and asked for a little help and patience.
Denham said it’s been “all hands on deck” and his small group of employees have been working 12-14 hour days including weekends, trying to keep up. The town has also hired private contractors to help out, and rented a snowblower to keep the runway clear at the municipal airport.
For the safety of workers and citizens, Denham said, “a little bit of help would be appreciated.”
Denham asked that motorists yield to plow drivers, and that homeowners and business owners not put cleared snow back onto streets and alleys.
“Be cordial and understand that we are doing everything we possibly can to keep the roads clear and safe,” he said.
Denham said that a few water meters have frozen, but most are actually protected by the insulating properties of snow.
Mayor Soo Ing-Moody encouraged residents to make the town aware of any special problems. “Let them know, but please be nice,” she said.
Separately, the Twisp Chamber of Commerce passed long information provided by the town:
“Generally, once about 3 inches of snow has fallen, the Public Works crew starts snow plowing around midnight,” according to the town’s memo. “All side streets are plowed to the right-of-way. Glover Street in particular needs to be plowed to the centerline and taken away by a front-end loader. The crew can clean up and scrape slush off the roads during the day, but not so with Glover Street — the amount of traffic and parked cars can make it dangerous for everyone.
“The Town requests that, especially if you are a Glover Street business: if you have your roof/awning/sidewalk cleared, please do not leave the snow in the right of way, including alleys. This is greatly affecting the Town’s ability to remove snow this season. Instead, please remove your snow by the end of the day, or don’t have it done until you know it can be removed the same day.”
The Twisp Public Works Department can be reached at (509) 997-1311, or by email at publicworks@townoftwisp.com.
