Crabtree pleased with Saugus storm cleanup efforts

SAUGUS – Town Manager Scott Crabtree said he?s “proud” of the Department of Public Works for getting Saugus back up and running after this weekend?s huge snow storm.?Obviously there are going to be complaints about certain streets that are problematic,” said Crabtree. “But I think as far as comparing us to other communities, I did tour some other communities like Revere and Lynn on Saturday, and other areas fared a lot worse than Saugus. I think everybody should be commended here.”Crabtree said crews from the DPW, building maintenance and custodial staff did a “tremendous job” in the storm?s aftermath after meeting last week to set up a plan on how to tackle the cleanup effort.?The DPW guys, and building maintenance and custodial staff, and all the emergency personnel ? I think did a tremendous job trying to prepare for it,” he said. “We met and had a plan, and we executed the plan but I just think that the amount of snow made it very difficult at least for the side streets, which they?ve been trying to clean up the last couple of days. There?s nowhere to put the snow.”With more than two feet of snow falling in Saugus, some tempers flared over the weekend as residents began to dig out. According to the Saugus Police log, officers responded to several calls for snow-related incidents, including a pair of calls for plow drivers being threatened and complaints of contractors dumping snow on other people?s property.Crabtree said DPW crews spent Sunday clearing out the business districts in Cliftondale Square and Saugus Center, and moving the snow to Anna Parker Playground.On Monday, massive 15-foot mountains of snow sat in the parking lot at the park.?We wanted to get the business districts up so they can do business,” he said.Crabtree said he?s received a lot of compliments from residents so far, but acknowledged there are still a few trouble spots that need to be taken care of.?Obviously there are going to be people that aren?t happy, but we?re trying to get to the side streets and we?ve got the main streets opened,” he said. “It?s a continued effort right now.”On Monday morning, the majority of streets in town were completely clear of snow. However, some side roads off of Appleton Street and some off of Denver Street were plowed, but still had several inches of compacted snow on them.On Nason Road, a Super Petroleum gas truck got stuck Monday afternoon as Diane Trickett said her street, which is normally “three cars-wide” was barely passable by one car.?They plowed only enough to allow for one car with snow banks on either side so you cannot park on the street unless you plow the snow yourself,” she said. “I?m not sure if anyone was upset with the job the town did but if they?re watching what I?m watching they?re definitely concerned now.”Crabtree said he?s been working with the DPW to make a “punch list” of areas that still need to be cleaned up, and noted the DPW has been working “night and day.”?Everybody is taxed, but they?re out there again today in full force trying to manage some of those areas that need more attention,” he said. “Myself and the DPW director were out from 8 yesterday morning to midnight last night.”Crabtree also thanked residents for heeding the travel and parking bans put in place as the high school and Stocker Field parking lots were opened for weekend parking.?I think people were pretty good at getting off the street and realizing this was a major storm,” he said.While the Veterans Memorial Elementary School was on standby to be used as a shelter, Crabtree said it wasn?t needed during the storm.With cleanup continuing, Crabtree said it?s “too preliminary” to look at how much the storm will cost Saugus.?It?s obviously expensive, and we?ll be looking and hoping that there would be some state or federal assistance with this type of record blizzard,” he said.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].