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Winter Plowing

Here are a few helpful suggestions to make winter storms more tolerable.

  • When shoveling or plowing the mouth of your driveway, push all snow to the down or right side of your driveway. This will help minimize the amount of snow that will ultimately be pushed back into your driveway during plowing. With heavy snowfalls, the Highway Crew may have to pass down your road more than once leaving the end of your driveway filled with yet more snow. We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause especially since it always seems to happen just as you have finished shoveling. 
  • Do not shovel, snow blow or have your driveway plowed into the traveled or cleared portions of the right-of-way of any public street or highway. This is prohibited by law and can cause a serious hazard.  Revised State Statutes 41:11, 47:17 VII, and 236:20.
  • Removing your car from the road at the start of a storm will assure that your road can be cleared and your vehicle will not be plowed in or towed. There is no overnight parking in or on Town streets, way or public parking lot from November 1 to April 1 between the hours of 11 PM and 7 AM.
  • Placement of objects outside of the right-of-way will minimize the risk of being hit by the snowplow wing. Please note that the Town will not be responsible for damages to mailboxes, fences, stone walls, lawns or any other object placed within the right-of-way of any Town road or street, caused by snow removal equipment.
  • Plowing begins with the accumulation of 2-3 inches of snow. Only after snow clearance does sand and salting occur. In the event of freezing rain, it is important to note that application of sand and salt is wasted if applied before the rain has stopped. Each plow route is approximately 15 miles long and takes 3 to 4 hours to cover. The Town of Hopkinton does not have a clean road policy. Streets and roads will not be kept completely clear of snow. Therefore, we advise you to exercise your usual caution when driving in the winter. Salt will be used sparingly. Gravel roads will be sanded, but with ice under the sand, it still makes stops impossible.  
  • Please note that there is no personnel available to answer your calls outside of official business hours. In the event that you do call during business hours, we will get to your concern as soon as we possibly can. Please be patient, and note that repeatedly calling the department will not get the crews there any faster.