SAUGUS — The School Committee, along with Superintendent Michael Hashem, gave the Department of Public Works a shout-out at the latest Committee meeting, thanking the department for the work they did during two snowstorms that hit the state.
Chair Tom Whittredge started his update by stating the facilities did “a pretty good job,” noting that everything was open.
“We all know there’s always going to be piles that people don’t think belong there. There’s going to be melting during the day that freezes overnight, that maybe someone didn’t hit with ice melt… But they do get to it,” he said.
Whittredge said the DPW does a great job, and that a lot goes on in town that they have to complete.
“Everybody’s out there doing the best they can, working around the clock. I didn’t really see too many issues. I saw some stuff built up around the sides. Once again, they’ll get to it,” he said.
Committee member Brian Doherty said that the town really helped out in getting things cleared up.
“I got a lot of good feedback from people that I know as far as getting rid of the snow,” he said.
Doherty also noted that Police Chief Michael Ricciardelli was able to get an officer to the school to help with parking.
“Mr. (Chris) Blair has done a great job as well at that, but I’d rather see him be a principal than a traffic director,” Doherty said.
Hashem thanked the DPW for keeping him informed, to let him know what the status was, so he could make the calls to cancel school.
“It’s easier said than done. You want to have school because you know that people have to go to work, but at the same time, you want to make sure that everything is safe for the kids to be here. The DPW was excellent. They even kept me abreast of what steps they were going to make,” Hashem said.
Hashem also stated that he thinks the school’s shovelers did a “great job.”
“There’s going to be icy spots. It’s winter in New England. Everybody’s got to be patient and careful,” he said.
