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Residents urge review of storm response after disputed Northbrook plowing
Summary
Multiple residents during public comment accused the town of excluding Northbrook from snow removal and criticized online rhetoric; council members pledged an after-action review and defended staff while promising better communications.
Several residents raised concerns about the town’s storm response during the public-comment segment of the Feb. 5 Centreville Town Council meeting, accusing officials of unfairly excluding Northbrook from snow removal and of using public channels in ways residents found disparaging.
Margaret Jakeley of Banbridge presented four proposals to improve snow removal, including mandatory vehicle removal notices during major storms, mapping and publishing plow territories and bus-stop locations, tighter vetting of published communications for factual accuracy and liability, and a voluntary self-disclosure process to identify residents with medical needs or first responders who require cleared access. “I think we should require the residents to move vehicles off the road. Give 24 hour notice to remove their vehicles when a major snowstorm is coming,” Jakeley said.
An unidentified Northbrook resident later alleged the neighborhood was purposely excluded from snow removal and said town officials offered conflicting explanations. The speaker also said the town used official channels to "smear" the neighborhood and said the failure to clear streets endangered residents and hampered emergency access.
Brad Robinson, a Northbrook resident and self-identified snow contractor, urged the town to be candid about shortcomings. “When we need help, we bring people in. And when we're failing, we admit it,” Robinson said, adding that better preparation could have reduced potential liabilities.
Council members responded directly: one council member thanked speakers and said Northbrook residents are valued and respected and called for better communication and understanding of differing perceptions. Council members and the mayoral office referenced a Feb. 19 council retreat where the council and department heads will conduct an after-action review of storm response procedures and communications. One council member said some town social-media posts were not perfect and acknowledged the need for improved public-facing messaging while also praising public-works staff for their effort during a historic storm.
The council did not take formal action on snow-removal policy at this meeting but indicated a review and further discussion were planned.
