LYNN — As the first snowstorm of the year arrives on Friday, the city’s Department of Public Works (DPW) is sending out a call to action to snow-plow drivers and snow-removal operators.
The DPW released a flyer in English and Spanish on Wednesday, calling for operators of snow-removal equipment to help with Friday morning’s winter storm. Equipment operators will receive an hourly-pay rate that corresponds with the different pieces of machinery and the accessories included.
The minimum pay rate is $77 an hour for those operating an F-250, 2500 model or equivalent standard pick-up truck. The maximum pay rate is $190 per hour for those operating a front-end loader with four-wheel drive only.
DPW Commissioner Andrew Hall said the department has more than 200 contracts, and more are expected to apply. This is an increase from the 187 contracts that Hall reported during a City Council meeting on Dec. 15.
“These guys tend to wait at the last minute,” said Hall. “The roster still isn’t full yet and we have more on the way.”
While operators are tasked with removing the snow, the DPW is responsible for salting and de-icing roads.
The city’s snow-removal efforts were criticized in February 2020, when a major storm hit and some roads were not cleared for days. At the time, city officials noted the difficulty in obtaining the needed amount of snow-plow contractors, with some city councilors citing a higher-pay rate in nearby communities as part of the issue.
Hall said the DPW has a large stockpile of salt and the department has prepared for the possibly harsh conditions on the streets this year. He is confident that workers will properly salt the roads.
“We have about 5,000 tons of salt at our depot and about 1,000 tons in another,” said Hall. “We are ready to roll.”
Hall said he hopes residents of Lynn will sign up on the Smart 911 website to receive alerts from the Lynn Emergency Planning Department and move their cars out of the way of snow plows.
“For us to do a good job, we need to get cars off the street,” said Hall.
The parking ban for Friday’s storm began at 10 p.m. on Thursday.
