East Longmeadow DPW evaluating roads in need of repair for future projects

Date: 12/4/2014

EAST LONGMEADOW –   The Department of Public Works (DPW) is currently focused on completing an evaluation of town roadways in need of repair, which would likely be finished sometime this winter with construction taking place over the spring and summer.

DPW Superintendent Robert Peirent said streets that might appear on the list of streets that require attention include Hampden Road, Mapleshade Avenue, and Porter Road.

“We are in the process of setting priorities for next year in terms of where we might be doing road repaving projects [and] construction projects,” he added. “We expect to be focusing on a combination of maintaining areas that have been improved over the past 10 years or so as well as making new improvements in areas where the roads are degraded.”

Peirent said this year Elm Street was completely reconstructed and paid with $800,000 of Commonwealth Chapter 90 funds.

“We expect that [the Elm Street reconstruction project] will go a long way towards addressing problems this winter,” he added.

Recommendations of streets in need of repair will be given to the Board of Public Works after the evaluation is completed, Peirent noted.

Peirent also stressed the importance of winter safety in regards to potholes and snowstorms.

“If the roads are potentially slick, if it’s snowing, if there’s potentially frozen conditions; slow down,” he added. “Slow down, keep a greater distance between you and the driver and front of you and be prepared that stopping can be difficult.”

After the region’s first major snowstorm on Nov. 23, DPW Operations Manager John Collins said there was very little damage throughout the town.

The town’s entire DPW personnel finished plowing at about 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 23 and afterwards road sanders were sent out to make the roadways safer for driving prior to the morning commuters arriving. 

“It went well,” he added. “Everything went off as planned. We had a few [tree] limbs come down but we were really lucky. Everything went off without a hitch.”

Peirent said potholes are fixed as soon as the town is aware of a pothole. Temporary fixes include cold patches, which is liquid asphalt that closes the hole.

“Many times some of our more significant potholes we might have to repair multiple times during the winter,” he added. “Many times then we’ll have to make more permanent repairs in the springtime.”

Peirent noted that residents are encouraged to contact the DPW regarding pothole locations because it helps the department identify where crews need to be dispatched to make repairs to the potholes.

Currently the DPW is working on creating a policy related to mailboxes during the winter, he added.

“One message I’d like to get out to residents is that now is the time to take a look at your existing mail box, make certain that your post is solid and intact, [and] that it’s not corroded or rusted or ready to break,” Peirent explained.

“Take a look at the mailbox, make certain that it’s well connected to the mailbox post,” he continued. “Mailboxes will take a beating during the winter time. Snow will be plowed up against the mailboxes. There will be snow that falls on top of the mailboxes.”