Plow Routes – The streets are plowed and salted in order of priority. Main (collector) roads are addressed first with special attention to steep hills, and difficult intersections. Side streets are done next, then dead end streets. Side streets will remain unplowed if the main roads require repeated plowing. This may not seem fair to the residents of side streets or dead ends, but main roads must remain open.
Blocked Driveways – All snow plows angle the same way – to the driver's right – and when going by they will push the snow in front of a driveway. The homeowner is responsible for access to his driveway. The only way to avoid extra shoveling is to wait until DPW crews have done their final clean up on the street. After the storm DPW may have to plow the road several times to restore the full width.
Sidewalks – Per Town ordinance, Fairfield property owners are responsible for removing snow and ice from the sidewalk along their property line within 24 hours after the storm and keeping the sidewalk clear of snow and ice. Heavily used sidewalks near schools and public buildings, and the commercial areas are particularly important. Property owners may be fined and/or charged the cost of removal if the property owners do not comply. Please remember to shovel around fire hydrants.
Mailbox Damage – The Town repairs or replaces only mailboxes and/or posts that are actually struck by a plow blade. Usually a paint mark or truck tire tracks supply evidence of a mailbox strike. The Town does not repair or replace mailboxes and/or posts that fall from the force of plowed snow. Mailboxes and supporting posts must be installed to withstand the rigors of snow removal, including the force of snow pushed from the street onto the roadside.
Street Parking – If possible, during a storm residents should park in their driveways and not on the streets. This allows the plows to better clean the whole width of the street. It also lessens the likelihood of damage to the vehicles as a result of plowing. Similar to mailboxes, DPW is only responsible for damage done to a vehicle as a result of the plow blade actually striking the vehicle, not the effect of snow, ice, or salt hitting the vehicle as a result of plowing.
Handicap Parking Spaces – Property owners whose property contains handicap parking spaces are required to keep those spaces as accessible and free from snow as all other parking spaces. Snow shall not be stored or piled in handicap spaces. Property owners and/or those responsible may be subject to fine for failure to remove .
Private Plowing – The Town of Fairfield prohibits plow contractors from pushing snow from driveways or parking lots onto Town streets. This practice is dangerous and impedes the Town's snow removal efforts. If there is no other alternative to pushing snow into the street, the plow driver must plow off the windrow left across the street by re-plowing until the road is safe. This may not necessarily mean bare pavement, but certainly it should be no worse than when the driver began work.
Snow Hauling - When piles of snow build up around Town, DPW must remove the piles for safety reasons. Click here to read our Snow Hauling policies and procedures.
Road Applications - Similar to the State DOT, DPW will be applying only salt. The mixture will be less visible when applied but more effective in reducing ice and packed snow.
Re-Plowing/Snow Removal Concerns - If you have snow removal concerns or would like to request a street be re-plowed, please enter a Citizen Service Request and select 'Snow Removal Issues' or call the Town Garage at 203-256-3177.
Residents who feel they have a legitimate complaint should call the Town Garage at 203-256-3177.