Snow Plowing Service Levels | Winter 2022/2023

Winter has arrived and the Town of Jackson’s Public Works Department and the Town and County’s Parks & Rec Department are working around the clock to respond to big snow events. This winter season, the level of service for snow plowing will be reduced, due to staffing shortages in Public Works. Only about half of a total of 11 staff positions for the winter street crew are currently filled. The Public Works plowing crew is working to do the best job possible given limited staff capacity. The community can expect the following this winter. 

1.    Plowing of highways, bus routes, primary through-connectors, downtown streets, and hillsides will be prioritized. 

2.    Many streets may not get plowed on the first day of snowfall and will be cleared when possible.

3.    Public alleys and parking lots may not be plowed until there are enough days without snow for the crew to get to them.

4.    Snow will not be hauled from streets until it becomes necessary for public safety, or there is staff capacity to get to it. 

If multiple days of snowfall occur in a row, plowing main thoroughfares will take longer and push other priorities down the list. Plowing of alleys, parking lots, and transferring snow to the fairgrounds are the lowest priority tasks. On weekends, crews will be called-in to plow only if 3 inches of snow accumulates on the street. Public Works and Town Administration are still working to hire capable snow plowing staff. 

In addition to Public Works plowing streets, the Parks & Rec plow crew clears snow from some public sidewalks and pathways, so community members can continue to walk through the winter months, a key element to our Town and County’s transportation plan. Here is what the community can expect from the Parks & Rec plow crew this winter.

1.    Plowing of walking routes in Jackson and Wilson for safety, commuter access, and connectivity will be prioritized. 

2.    During large or prolonged storms, Safe Routes to School and sidewalks in the Town Core will be prioritized before other areas are plowed.  

Though the Parks & Rec plow crew works to clear and maintain some sidewalks, we also need community members pitch in and shovel sidewalks in front of their properties to keep walking routes clear. The Town is working on maps that identify priority plowing areas and will share them when they are ready. The Town appreciates and asks for your patience as the community adjusts to this new level of service. Please know that safety of the travelling public and staff is always our priority as we work within parameters of available resources and budget.