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Wenham Select Board opens review of snow‑removal policy after reports of unplowed sidewalks near school routes
Summary
The Select Board spent extensive time reviewing the town’s snow‑removal policy, discussing safety concerns for children at bus stops, the absence of a detailed sidewalk map in the policy, and possible shifts of responsibility to property owners with DPW providing secondary maintenance.
Select Board members and staff dedicated much of the March 18 meeting to a detailed review of the town’s snow‑removal policy following complaints about sidewalks and bus stops this winter.
Board members described cases where sidewalks and crossings near school bus stops were not cleared promptly. Participants noted there is not a detailed, public map attached to the existing policy that lists sidewalk priorities, and that the policy relies on DPW director discretion during storms. Town staff said it can take the DPW four or five days to clear sidewalks across town, depending on storm frequency and equipment availability.
The board discussed three approaches: (1) retain the current DPW‑led priority system but improve coordination with the school transportation office and Salter (bus contractor); (2) revise the policy to place primary responsibility for clearing sidewalks on property owners and designate DPW as secondary maintenance; or (3) adopt a clearer, attached map and published priority schedule that aligns bus‑stop locations with plow routing.
The Town Administrator urged caution about setting rigid timelines the DPW could not meet, saying, "I just don't want to overpromise," and highlighted the need to coordinate with DPW and school officials so that children are not disembarking at unplowed highway crossings.
Board members asked staff to coordinate a summer review involving DPW, the superintendent’s office and the bus contractor to reconcile bus‑stop locations and identify the most hazardous crossings so the town can propose feasible policy language and an implementation plan. No vote was taken; the board agreed to continue the discussion and schedule follow‑up meetings.
