I would reemphasize the urgency of our town’s lack of preparedness for plowing this coming winter. I know this issue has come up before, but I don’t believe we have made progress.
My understanding is that the DPW does not have staff with commercial driver’s licenses to operate the proper vehicles.
We live near Bolton on Stow Road. During snow this past winter, there were multiple instances in which the road would be icy and dangerous on the Harvard side. But as soon as the road crossed the town line into Bolton, the road was clean and safe. I remember feeling embarrassed.
More importantly, I remember feeling concerned about the safety of our bus drivers and our kids on those buses, our new teenage drivers going to jobs and high school, our elderly, and all our drivers out in the dark hours on the Harvard hills. I think that it is our responsibility as taxpayers to improve our town’s plowing performance. I’m sure we can pick ourselves off the mat and solve this problem before the first snow. Ultimately, we must hold ourselves accountable.
Who specifically can get plow drivers on staff? If last year’s leadership is going to lead again this year, why do we expect anything to change? What specifically is going to change and how? How do we know we have enough staff? If there is a reason the DPW is having trouble, let’s give the team resources to overcome that reason. If it’s a case of needing more energy and hustle and creativity, let’s provide that too. If Bolton can do it, we can do it.
Along with health and education, safety must be a primary concern.
Dylan Brix
Stow Road
