Winter weather, snow quickly approaching

  • Published
  • By Rhonda Siciliano
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  As the winter season quickly approaches at Hanscom, snow removal crews are gearing up for yet another unpredictable New England winter.

Winter is right around the corner and so is the annual requirement to remove snow and ice from the streets and walkways of Hanscom.

The base maintenance contractor, IAP Worldwide Services Inc., is responsible for snow and ice removal from base streets, sidewalks and parking areas.

The priorities for snow and ice removal, excluding housing, are divided into four categories.

The first areas to be cleared, category one, consist of major roads, first responder areas, medical facilities, and snow-removal equipment staging areas. Category two includes the administration buildings, office building parking areas and school walkways. Category three consists of the remainder of the parking areas. The balance of the common sidewalks on base makes up category four. For details see the 66th Air Base Wing Instruction 32-1002, Snow and Ice Control Plan.

HP Communities is responsible for snow removal in areas of base housing.
Family Housing's priority orders are streets, parking areas, and common area walkways. Housing residents are required to ensure timely (within 24 hours) removal of snow and ice from vehicle parking spaces and walkways within 50 feet of their unit.

Housing Maintenance service technicians will perform walk-way clearing of vacant units, Community and Neighborhood Centers and for those residents with spouses on extended temporary duty. Residents should call the HP communities Management office to let them know of any special circumstances.

Housing occupants are required to clear an area for trash receptacles. Receptacles will not be permitted to sit on top of snow banks or on streets and drives.

During periods of absence for leave, temporary duty assignments or other occasions, base housing occupants are expected to arrange for their sidewalks, driveways and other areas of responsibility to be cleared of snow and ice. Also, residents should plan ahead and not leave their cars parked on the street during the winter.

HP communities will post signs at the entrances to Family Housing when snow removal operations are pending. These signs will state, "No On-Street Parking;" there will also be a red flashing light at the entry way. During these periods residents are required to park in their designated parking area or an overflow parking lot.

Residents are advised to play it safe and watch the weather forecasts or if they see snow falling, to move their vehicles off the street.

Every storm is unique in the amount and type of precipitation, the temperatures during and after the storm and the day and time of the storm begins. These factors present a real challenge for all involved to provide the most consistent and efficient snow removal for Hanscom.

In a change from previous years, IAP will be responsible for removing snow from all of the base sidewalks, including facility entrance sidewalks which were formerly the responsibility of facility managers. Facility entrance walkways will be shoveled for the start of the duty day and as needed to keep accumulation from exceeding one inch during duty hours. Facility managers are asked to ensure that "Handicapped" signs are visible.

If a facility manager is newly assigned, or there is an anticipated change, Linda Kondrat, IAP Real Property Management should be notified at 781-377-3573. This will minimize duplicate taskings and also help to establish accurate priorities for the facility area.

Sand and salt barrels have been placed throughout the base where they are most needed. Markers will also be placed throughout the base to identify openings such as driveways and handicap walks, for plows. HP communities will place sand and salt barrels at strategic locations in parking areas. Markers for curbs, walks, hydrants and other utilities will also be installed to help snow removal operators. Parents are asked to ensure that children keep these markers and their safety caps in place. Parents are also asked for the purpose f safety not to let children play or burrow in the snow piles made by the snow removal contractor.

A 24-hour emergency weather phone line, 781-377-2653 provides up-to-date information on inclement weather, notice of base closure or delays and the current street conditions. This phone line does not dictate the operations of the Hanscom primary and middle schools. Consult Lincoln Public Schools information for Hanscom School updates at http://www.lincolntown.org/school.htm.

Any issues regarding base snow removal can be addressed by calling 781-377-3383. For housing area snow removal information, call HP Communities at 781-861-5062.