Snow & Ice Policy

This information provides a general overview of our snow and ice program, frequently asked questions, winter tips and also seeks your support in providing safe streets and sidewalks during snow and ice emergencies.

The Town of Norwood's Public Works Department is responsible for removing snow from and de-icing 110 miles of roadway and 6 municipal parking lots in the winter season. The Town also plows 31 miles of sidewalk to ensure safe passage for pedestrians.

The Public Works Department uses 5 large salt (de-icing) trucks to de-ice roadways. When conditions warrant the plowing of roadways to make them safe, the Town uses 26 municipal vehicles and up to 30 contracted pieces of equipment on 32 plow routes.

• the temperatures before, during and after a storm;
• the amount of accumulated snow;
• the duration of the storm;
• the road surface temperature;
• the weather forecast for the following days
  

• When the snow starts falling, salt trucks are dispatched to apply de-icing materials such as road salt and liquid magnesium chloride to keep the roads safe.
• When 2-3 inches of snow has accumulated on the streets, the snow plowing operation usually begins.
• Once the snow stops falling and the roads have been plowed, the streets will again be treated with de-icing materials to prevent a freeze-up of the road surface.
• Department personnel will then clear intersections and plow sidewalks and parking lots.
  

Black Road Policy:
Within four hours after the storm has ended it is the policy of the Norwood Public Works Department to have a bare (black) road surface on all main streets and arterial collectors. Residential side streets and cul-de-sacs will also receive similar treatment but may take longer to have a bare (black) road surface.

Parking Bans:
Norwood Town By-law (Article XII, Section 30) prohibits parking a vehicle on a street so as to interfere with the snow plowing or removal of snow or ice. Such vehicles will be subject to towing at the expense of the vehicle's owner. Norwood's Parking Regulations also prohibit parking of vehicles for longer than 2 hours, 12 a.m. - 6 a.m., on any street or Town owned parking facility from November 15^th through April 1^st.

Plow Damage:
The Town is not responsible for damaged lawns, sprinkler heads, fences, steps, trees or shrubs that are located within the public way.

The Town will be responsible for mailboxes that are physically hit by a plow. However, mailboxes will not be repaired if they are in a deteriorated condition or are damaged by snow pushback. Mailboxes and posts damaged by a snowplow will be fixed and/or replaced by the Town with a standard wooden post and black box. The Town will provide a check in the amount of $50.00 for homeowner's use for any specialty mailbox and/or post that cannot be repaired.

All plow damage must be reported to the Public Works Department by May 1^st of the current snow and ice season. Damage reported after May 1^st will not be considered for repairs or reimbursement by the Town of Norwood.

Residents are urged to place stakes with reflectors along the edge of lawns and the corner of driveways / walkways.

Plow vehicles, while employed by the Town, cannot be hired or requested to clear private driveways or walks.

Sand / Salt Mixture for Residents
Norwood residents can pick up a sand/salt mixture in the following locations:

• Babel's Paint Store Parking Lot (Cottage Street / Nahatan Street)
• 370 Winter Street (on Winter Street at entrance to Landfill).
• Hawes Pool Parking Lot (Washington Street)
• Norwood Memorial Airport Parking Lot (Access Road)

Please bring your own container (limit 5 gallons) and shovel. Commercial and/or private contractors not allowed.

By-law - No Snow Deposited in Public Way
Norwood Town By-law (Article XII, Section 32) prohibits the depositing of snow or ice onto or across any public way, including sidewalks or public property. This by-law addresses the ongoing problem of private contractors plowing snow from private driveways into the public way. This causes unsafe road conditions which must then be corrected by the Public Works Department.

Any such owner or agent violating this by-law shall be punished by a fine as well as any cost incurred by the Public Works Department to correct the condition.

Good Neighbor Policy:
In the interest of you and your neighbor's personal safety, please shovel out nearby fire hydrants.
                           
Neighbors Max Kane and Joey Ryan cleared this fire hydrant after the storm in 2013.

Please keep nearby catch basins clear of snow or ice to prevent street flooding during heavy rains or snow melting periods.

Frequently Asked Questions