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Blizzard Conditions Don't Stop New Fairfield Plow Guy From Working

NEW FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Joe Doceti, owner of Hat City Construction in New Fairfield, has been outside in the blizzard plowing since 5:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Joe Doceti, owner of Hat City Construction in New Fairfield, has been outside in the blizzard plowing since 5:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Joe Doceti, owner of Hat City Construction in New Fairfield, has been outside in the blizzard plowing since 5:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Photo Credit: Sandra Diamond Fox

“I’ve only done four homes, but I do a commercial lot until the snow stops and then I do the driveways,” he said.

In business since 2009, he's familiar with these types of storms.

“This is typically a 72-hour storm. We are in the truck in our seats for 72 hours driving through the night throughout Danbury and New Fairfield," Doceti said. 

Nighttime plowing poses extra challenges. "You have to make sure you load up all your tools into the truck ahead of time. If you have any breakdowns, you will have to stop on the side of the road," he said.

"Also, you need to bring extra fuel because a lot of fuel stations are closed at night," he said.

Although steep driveways can sometimes be challenging, he says the greatest hazards by far are trees and other cars on the road.

"Cars that are going 10 to 15 mph affect our route and response time," he said.   

Anthony Dorman, owner of Dorman’s Snow Plowing and Roof Shoveling in Danbury, plans to dig out about 75 houses on Tuesday throughout Danbury, Bethel, Redding, Brookfield and Ridgefield.

As soon as the snow stops, he will start working. “I don’t go early since if I have to back, it’s more money and people don’t want to spend it," Dorman said.

The most dangerous aspect of the job is the steep uphill driveways.

“I have about 10 of these. For those, we have to get out and shovel instead of drive. Those homes each take a half-hour with six guys working on them.”

In his 23 years in business, “I’ve seen worse storms. The ice storms are the worst. With ice storms, the bottom is ice, so we have to shovel and plow and salt them,” he said.

Doceti's advice on a day like today? "Stay indoors until the snowstorm is over."

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