Winter Operations

Granby Public Works is charged with the responsibility of responding to winter storm events.  During storms, our primary focus is to provide safe travel for cars and emergency vehicles on heavily traveled roads.  While snow is actively falling, plowing is generally limited to the center portion of the roadway to clear a travel lane in each direction.  As the storm subsides, our crews will further widen the roadways and clear out cul-de-sacs.

Driveway Clearing Tips

The town is not responsible for the snow deposited in driveways.  Plow operators have very little discretion as to where the snow will go.  The priority of the town is to clear streets and ensure safe travel.  To minimize the amount of snow left at the end of your driveway, wait until the road has been completely plowed before cleaning the last 10’ of your driveway.   If you must clean the end of your driveway, it is best to place snow on the right side of your driveway when facing the road.  This way, the plow will carry the snow away from your driveway rather than into it.

Do not shovel or plow snow into the street.  It creates a hazard and you may be held liable in the case of an accident.

During a winter when there is a significant amount of snowfall, the snowbanks can start to get quite high.  In this situation, town crews will push back the snowbanks with a wing plow.   This is done to make room for additional snow and may occur days after the end of the last storm.  During this process, some snow may land in your driveway.   We make every effort to clean up debris caused by this process but due to size of the equipment we use, we may not be able to remove all of the snow dropped in your driveway.

Parking

The Town of Granby prohibits the parking of any vehicle on a town road from the start of a storm until 12 hours after the storm has ended.  Vehicles that violate the parking ban may be towed at the owner’s expense.

Mailboxes

In accordance with Granby Town Ordinance, the town will repair or replace a mailbox that is damaged as the result of direct contact with a town snow plow. Mailboxes that are damaged from the force of snow thrown against them or mailboxes that are located closer than 9-inces to the road are not eligible for repair. If your mailbox is damaged, you may report it to Public Works and a department employee will investigate the damage, determine the cause and schedule repairs if applicable.

Sidewalks

Granby Town Ordinance requires a homeowner whose property abuts a sidewalk to keep it clean of snow and ice.  Residents have up to 8 hours after the end of the storm to clear the sidewalk.  If the storm occurs overnight, residents have up to 8 hours after sunrise to clear the sidewalk.  Failure to comply with this ordinance may result in a fine of up to $250.

Sand

Sand mixed with salt is available at 166 Salmon Brook Street (Granby Animal Shelter across from McLean Game Refuge).  Sand is kept in a fenced in area so please bring a container to carry the sand to your car.  Sand is for Granby residents and we ask that residents take one 5 gallon bucket at a time.

Trash & Recycling

Please be aware that unless the roads are closed, USA Waste & Recycling will be out collecting trash/recycling on their regular schedule.  You must have your trash out by 6 a.m.  If you choose not to put out your trash/recycling due to a storm, your barrels will not be emptied until your next scheduled pickup day.   

Barrels should be placed at the end of your driveway in a location accessible to the trash hauler and at least 2’ from the roadway.  Do not put barrels in the street or on a snowbank.  

Child Safety

Do not allow children to play on snowbanks along the side of the road.  The plow may be back and even in good conditions, it is difficult for the driver to see the children.