Do we have enough plow drivers? Is the City or City contractors hiring drivers for this weekend?

Like many cities, Brockton continues to face challenges with plow driver availability. We are always recruiting plow drivers, including contractor drivers, by the reality is that many contractors are experiencing workforce shortages as well. That said, our DPW team is preparing to deploy all available resources to keep streets as safe and passable as possible throughout the storm.

How many plows does City own?

The City currently has 25 pieces of City-owned snow removal equipment and 58 contracted vehicles available. While this is below full capacity, DPW is planning accordingly and prioritizing major roads, emergency routes, and high-traffic areas to maximize effectiveness the storm.

What is DPW doing to prep?

DPW is actively preparing by pre-treating roadways, staging equipment, and planning for continuous plowing operations. Crews will bellowing curb-to-curb wherever possible to keep our streets clear and safe. To allow our trucks to do their job effectively, we will need to be aggressive with towing vehicles that remain parked on City streets once a winter storm parking ban is declared.

Following our storm prep meeting on Saturday, we will determine the appropriate time to declare a winter storm parking ban on Sunday. When a ban is in effect, all vehicles must be removed from City streets. Many City-owned lots will be available for free parking during the ban

When temps plunge starting Friday night, is the City or partners like MainSpring activating warming centers or other help for folks living on the streets?

Yes, Father Bill’s MainSpring Shelter on Manley Street will be open 24 hours. In addition, the City is preparing to use several City-owned properties as warming centers if needed. These locations will be finalized during our storm preparation meeting on Saturday, and we will share this information with the public as soon as it’s confirmed.

Anything else Pat or the mayor want to make sure residents know

We ask residents and business owners to do their part by shoveling sidewalks and clearing fire hydrants near their properties. Brockton has approximately 187 miles of sidewalks, and while City crews will do their best, it’s a shared responsibility. We also encourage everyone to check on neighbors, especially seniors and those who may need extra help during the storm. Brockton is at its best when we look out for one another.

For the latest updates, residents should follow @CityBrockton on Instagram and Facebook and visit www.brockton.ma.us.