BRATTLEBORO — Another Monday, another snowstorm.
For the third straight week, Windham County had to deal with heavy snow and another Monday of slippery roads and sidewalks, closed schools and businesses, and snowbanks that keep on rising.
According to spotter reports made to the National Weather Service's office in Albany, N.Y., this latest storm, which started on Sunday and continued through Monday, left a total of 12 inches in Wardsboro; about 13 inches in Guilford, Bellows Falls, and Townshend; and 16 inches in Brattleboro.
Combined with the previous storms and a long stretch of sub-freezing weather, the snowpack around Windham County is now approaching 3 feet in depth in some towns.
School was cancelled across Windham County on Monday, and many local businesses again either curtailed hours or closed for the day.
Removing all this snow has been a struggle for Brattleboro's Public Works Department.
Public Works Director Steve Barrett told WTSA News Tuesday morning that streets in Brattleboro's residential neighborhoods are getting narrow, and advises both caution and patience to motorists and pedestrians.
Snow banks at intersections are also a problem, making it difficult to see oncoming traffic. Barrett said crews are out shoveling fire hydrants, and people are asked to help by clearing hydrants near their homes.
The town is also running short on road salt.
Highway & Utilities Superintendent Hannah O'Donnell said Tuesday that the company that supplies salt to Brattleboro and the majority of Vermont towns “just can't keep up with the delivery demand right now. So we are running low on salt, but will be getting some soon if we can catch a little bit of a break in the weather.”
No major accidents were reported by local police departments on Monday, as most drivers heeded warnings to slow down and drive with caution.
The heavy snow accumulation of the past two weeks also poses a threat to roofs. Brattleboro Fire Chief Mike Buscosi said Tuesday that residents should check their roofs and shovel them as needed, but to use common sense when removing the snow.
This week's snow will be again followed by colder-than-normal temperatures. The weather service is predicting that overnight lows this weekend will be between 5- and 10-below zero, with daytime highs in the low-to-mid teens.