Swampscott to revise snow removal operations

SWAMPSCOTT – Department of Public Works officials are changing the way they respond to snowstorms after town officials received numerous complaints about road conditions following the most recent storm.Town Administrator Andrew Maylor said one of the major problems with snow removal efforts during the last two major storms was the ability to stay on top of the storm with limited resources.Maylor said during the last storm caravans of four vehicles were used, but it took too long for the caravan to complete the routes, allowing snow to accumulate on the major roadways.Department of Public Works Director Gino Cresta said instead of using four vehicle caravans he will run two caravans of three vehicles each on major road during storms.Cresta also plans to call in more private contractors.Maylor pointed out the DPW is responsible for snow removal around the schools and noted he received a lot of positive feedback from parents and school administrators about the job they did there.Cresta said as of mid-January, the town has spent almost all of its $125,000 snow and ice budget.