Base snow removal policies, procedures

  • Published
  • By Rhonda Siciliano
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, 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, Del-Jen, Inc., is responsible for snow and ice removal from base streets and parking areas. American Eagle Family Housing is responsible for all areas in base housing. 

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, emergency vehicle garage areas, 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.' The plan can be found on the 66th Air Base Wing Intranet site in the left hand column under Wing Instructions. 

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 walkway clearing of vacant units, Community and Neighborhood Centers and for those residents with spouses on extended temporary duty. Residents should call the American Eagle Property 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 winter months. 

American Eagle will post signs at the entrances to Family Housing when snow removal operations are pending. These signs will state, "No On-Street Parking." 

During these periods, residents are required to park in their designated parking areas.

Vehicles left on the street are subject to ticketing and towing at the owner's expense. 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 the storm begins. These factors present a real challenge for all involved to provide the most consistent and efficient snow removal for Hanscom. 

The responsibility of "timely ice and snow removal up to 50 feet away from buildings" falls on the facility managers for all buildings except those exceptions noted in 66 ABW Instruction 32-1002 paragraph 3. Walkways will be shoveled for the start of the duty day and as needed to keep accumulation from exceeding a half inch during duty hours. Facility managers should also ensure that "Handicapped" signs are visible.

If a facility manager is newly assigned, or there is an anticipated change, Del-Jen Real Property Management should be notified at (781) 377-3383. 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. 

American Eagle Family Housing 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 purposes of safety to not let children play or borough 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 www.lincolntown.org/school.htm.  

Any issues regarding base snow removal can be addressed by calling (781) 726-2437. For housing area snow removal information, call American Eagle Family Housing Property Management at (781) 861-5062.