Date: Fri 12-Jan-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

snow-weather-highway-plow

Full Text:

with cuts: Snow Plow Drivers: Running On Diesel And Adrenalin

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

Buddy Nichols steered his giant yellow snowplow along Saw Mill Road Monday,

roaring along the winding route and pushing a tide of snow to the side.

Mr Nichols, 63, has been plowing Newtown's roads during snowstorms for the

past 10 years, but he's never cleared them in weather quite so bad as this

week's, which dropped more than two feet of snow on the area.

"We're running out of places to put it," he said cheerfully waving down from

his truck to a resident shoveling his driveway. "People ask, `why does the

town buy such big trucks?' For the reason right here. This is some kind of

storm."

By 1:30 pm, Mr Nichols, like his fellow snow removal crew members, had already

worked around the clock and the end was not in sight. His 15-mile route of

roads took more than three hours to complete and he'd already completed 15

cycles.

"Once the snow stops, I'll bring in my truck, then go home and pass out," he

explained.

Back at the town garage on Turkey Hill Road, Director of Highways Joe Tani

directs the snow removal operation, trying to keep up the spirits of his

30-member crew. He's been working for the town public works department for 23

years and has seen plenty of storms, but he admitted this week's blizzard was

one of the nastiest.

"This one ranks up there with the one we had in 1978," he said. "We worked for

three straight days during that one."

In order to get by, Mr Tani said his workers drink a lot of coffee and

maintain a good sense of humor. They also rely on adrenaline to keep them

going. But with a winter like this one, Mr Tani said that begins to fade as

the snow continues to fall two and three times a week.

"When the first snow of the year falls, everyone is psyched to get out and

plow, but now, it's not fun anymore," he explained.

Nevertheless, the roads must get plowed and Mr Tani's unionized men, armed

with sand, salt and 15 diesel trucks, are in there for the long haul. Of

course, at a cost to the town. This week's blizzard cost taxpayers nearly

$30,000 in overtime, salt and sand, according to Director of Public Works Fred

Hurley. For the year, the snow removal work has cost $173,500 overall, not

including repairs to the vehicles and the public works employees regular pay.

Mr Hurley said the town allocated $230,000 for snow removal, but has already

spent the $80,000 it allocated for overtime, so he's made a transfer request

for more.

Newtown's plows also assist ambulances during calls, escorting them with plow

and sand to their destination.

"We've ferried doctors, nurses, whatever," explained mechanic Tim Whalen.

There were lots of people out shoveling their driveways Monday, and most

seemed happy to see the plows, often waving or saluting to the drivers. But

there are many others who are angered by the plows, which often, unavoidably

push snow into their freshly shoveled driveways.

"There's an awful lot of one-fingered people in this town," quipped one driver

over the radio.

If three separate taxpayers own homes on the road, then it must be plowed by

the town.

Back behind the wheel, the good-natured Mr Nichols barrels down Plumtrees

Road, pointing out a flock of wild turkeys, guys on snowmobiles, and cross

country ski tracks in the snow. Clearing the roads takes skill; drivers must

steer both the truck and its 12-foot plow around mailboxes, narrow bridges and

other cars.

Mr Nichols recalled how he flipped his plow truck in 1989 at the intersection

of Great Hill and Castle Hill roads, injuring his hip.

The drivers caught up on some sleep in the middle of the night early Monday

morning as they all pulled their trucks into the garage, then sprawled across

the seats in their cabs for three hours of shut-eye. However, with the snow

falling a two inches per hour, there was little time for rest.

"With this snowstorm, you do the route, then you go back to the beginning and

it looks like you've never been there," explained plower Joe Pratt.

Newtown has some 260 miles of non-state roads so when the snow falls, workers

say there's a "we're all in this together" kind of attitude at the garage.

They know they can count on one another in a pinch. Everyone counts on welder

Benny Elkins, 70, who's in charge repairing all the damage to the outside of

the trucks and plows. His co-workers say they'd be in serious trouble without

his help in the garage.

"Anything that comes in off the street that needs repair, he'll fix it," Paul

Tani explained.

At least dinner was not a concern for the drivers as Milton Adams' wife,

Marianne, made lasagna for the crew Monday night.

Over the radio, most of the chatter is filled with laughter as drivers try to

pass the time with humor.

"After 24 hours you tend to get a little punchy," Mr Nichols explained.

Driving a long Main Street, Mr Nichols joked with Joe Hennigan about having a

newspaper man on board.

"How's he doing," asked one plower.

"Just fine," answered Mr Nichols.

"Let him stay two or three days straight with us so he'll really know what

it's like," the driver responded.

Early Monday afternoon, the word came in to expect another 8-10 inches.

"This is going to be a long one," said Mr Tani. "This is one we'll remember

for awhile."