The Salem Municipal Services Department is currently in our Winter Weather Operations mode. Winter weather came early this year and is well underway, and if it feels like it’s been an especially busy season, which is because it has been.

Under the direction of our Deputy Director of Public Works, Geoff Benson, who leads our talented and dedicated group of employees and contractors, we have accepted all the challenges that winter has brought so far this season.

Since December 1st, our crews have been responding to winter weather events at a steady pace, and the numbers tell the story.

A Busy Season by the Numbers

Municipal Services has responded to:

• 15 winter weather events.

• 12.5 inches of snow have fallen across multiple storms.
• Three events delivered a total of 3.5 inches of ice, some of the most challenging conditions to manage.

For comparison, at this same point last year, we experienced only 7 winter events and about 8 inches of snow. In other words, this winter is already well ahead of schedule.

The Scope of Winter Maintenance

Keeping roads and walkways safe during winter weather is a large and complex operation. Throughout the season, crews are responsible for maintaining:

• 358.1 lane miles of paved roads
• 30 lane miles of unpaved roads
• 35 miles of sidewalks

The Town operates 36 plow routes, including:

• 16 primary routes, which include major roads and emergency access corridors.
• 17 secondary routes, which support neighborhood and connector roads.

These routes are carefully designed to ensure emergency services, schools, and high-traffic areas remain accessible during and after winter storms.

Why are you seeing so much snow and ice treatment and clearing trucks and equipment this year?

With frequent storms and fluctuating temperatures, especially around the freezing mark, you may have noticed Town and contractor vehicles and equipment on the roads at all hours, sometimes even when conditions appear calm.

That is because timely treatment of the roads prevents snow and ice from bonding to the pavement, improving safety and reducing the need for heavier treatments later.

Thank You for Your Patience

We appreciate residents’ patience and cooperation as crews work long shifts to keep roads as safe as possible. Giving plow and treatment trucks plenty of space helps them do their jobs efficiently and helps everyone get where they are going safely.

Winter still has time left on the calendar, and our crews remain ready for whatever comes next. When you see those trucks rolling by, know they are hard at work keeping the Town moving.

As winter progresses, your safety remains our priority. If you have any concerns, please contact us directly by phone at 603-890-2150.