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Fairfield's Plow Drivers Ask For Cooperation

Thomas Demshak and his co-workers let out an audible groan Monday when First Selectman Kenneth Flatto mentioned more snow in the forecast. Flatto and Fairfield Public Works Director Richard White held a press conference Monday to publicly thank Demshak and his fellow snow plow operators for their work in the past two snowstorms. The guys appreciated the support but weren’t exactly looking forward to another foot of snow to move around.  

But Demshak brought up another reason for grumbling among DPW crews — the lack of cooperation from some homeowners. Though Fairfielders have mostly been good about it this year, Demshak said, he still ran into problems with the plow driver’s enemy — the snow blower.

“What [people] do is they throw snow into the road,” Demshak said. “Then I’ve got to deal with not only what’s in the road, but what was in their driveway.”

While the snow is falling, plow drivers first make sure roads are passable. Once it stops, they go through their final cleanup — five sweeps down each street, to make the safe driving lanes as wide as possible. And that’s when the trouble begins.

“They look at me and just laugh and keep [throwing snow in the street],” Demshak says. “So that means when I make my turnaround, I put it back in their driveway. Then I get people calling complaining that I’m throwing snow in their driveway.”

The act is not only counterproductive but also illegal. Article 1, Section 91-2 of the Fairfield Town Code bans placing “snow or ice on a sidewalk, street, road, highway or other public property.” Residents face a fine of up to $99 for the offense.

Still, Demshak said Fairfielders were accommodating during the last major snowstorm. He and his fellow drivers just ask for residents to take the same precautions: Stay off the roads unless you have to go out. Don’t park in the street until the snow is clear. And don’t throw more snow into the street.

“If [residents] are willing to work with us, we’re willing to work with them,” Demshak said. “It’s as simple as that.”

Do you have any pet peeves when it comes to how people deal with blizzards? Share your views in the comments below.

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