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Middlebury public works details winter response after 18.5-inch storm; chair to ask treasurer about Trackless purchase
Summary
At its Feb. 18 meeting the Middlebury Public Works Commission reviewed an extensive winter response after a Jan. 25–26 storm that left 18.5 inches locally and a season total of about 50 inches. Director Nicholas Sidorick defended use of a new Trackless vehicle to clear the Greenway; Chairman Terry Smith said he will ask Town Treasurer Ralph Barra about the purchase at the next meeting.
The Middlebury Public Works Commission on Feb. 18 reviewed its winter operations after a Jan. 25–26 storm that dropped about 18.5 inches of snow and contributed to a season-to-date accumulation of roughly 50 inches. Public Works Director Nicholas Sidorick outlined daily plowing, spot salting and equipment use, and said crews have responded to 28 weather events so far this winter.
Sidorick said crews used the newly purchased Trackless on Feb. 3 to plow the Greenway because other department equipment (referred to as the 299 and the 318) were not well suited for that specific job. "Could it be done, yes. But not the best option," Sidorick said, explaining that accumulated snow, an additional 18 inches of fresh snow and business-plowed snow pushed onto the Greenway created conditions that required the Trackless.
Chairman Terry Smith said he intends to ask Town Treasurer Ralph Barra about the procurement and payment for the Trackless at the next Public Works Commission meeting. The commission did not vote on the Trackless purchase at this session; Smith asked that the treasurer be present to address questions.
Sidorick also outlined other winter logistics: a training session on the Trackless from the dealer on Feb. 2; a full salt mission called Feb. 10–11 during a mix of snow and freezing precipitation; and an order placed for 500 tons of salt on Feb. 17 to replenish supplies.
The director provided a day-by-day operations log (Jan. 22–Feb. 17) that included backfilling and cleaning wing walls at the Tyler Road Bridge, clearing site lines, roof raking at the fire and police headquarters, and hauling snow from cul-de-sacs. The department reported routine vehicle maintenance and ongoing site-service tasks.
Procedural business at the start and end of the meeting included a motion by Commissioner Mark A. Capodanno to approve the Jan. 21, 2026 minutes (seconded by Commissioner Dan Bartholomew and approved) and a motion to adjourn by Bartholomew (seconded by Mark Douty and approved). The commission adjourned at 7:37 p.m.; its next regular meeting is scheduled for March 16, 2026.
