Snow plowing in Woburn and Burlington and Wilmington, MA: reserve your season pass

Plowing a driveway in Woburn and Burlington and Wilmington

Woburn

Woburn covers about 12.9 square miles, so streets and drive types vary more than in the smaller cities nearby. Woburn Center and the older residential blocks sit close to Main Street, while other areas are spread out near Horn Pond, Route 128 and Route 93.

When a storm is big enough, the city announces a winter emergency parking ban. The page we read described a ban on both sides of the street and said municipal lots were open, and it asked people not to park at active schools. Cars off the street help plows reach the curb, which keeps the bank at your drive smaller. Check the city's text and email updates, because bans are announced for each storm.

The city says it clears only limited sidewalks, mainly in Woburn Center and near schools, and asks residents to clear the sidewalk in front of their home if they can. Woburn's code sets a strict deadline only for named downtown sidewalks, so most residents have a request rather than a rule, though that could change, so check with the city. The city also asks you to clear the nearest fire hydrant and to use ice melter instead of sand, because sand goes into storm drains. Plow banks at the end of the drive are the same as anywhere: they are packed and heavy, and best cleared after the plows are done. With a large area and mixed streets, the best plan for your own drive is simple: find out when the city has lifted a ban, wait for the last plow pass, then clear the apron and the walk once.

Burlington

Burlington is a town of about 24,500 people (2010 census) that grew fast after Route 128 opened. Between 1955 and 1965 it was the fastest growing town in the state, and it is now both a residential and a business hub. The census counted 8,445 housing units in 2010, and about 65% of households were married couples. The town has some hills, with Greenleaf Mountain at 290 feet.

The overnight parking ban runs from December 1 to April 1, between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. That puts cars in driveways until 8 a.m., so a driveway needs enough clear room for every car in the house, not just a single lane.

The town's plan is specific. Plows start on major roads at around two inches. Private contractors work secondary and minor roads from about three inches. Dead ends and cul-de-sacs are cleared last. The town says it takes 8 to 9 hours to finish plowing after the snow stops. The last thing the plows do is push back the edges, which can put snow into a drive you already cleared.

The Highway Division says not to shovel, plow or blow snow back into the road, and calls it illegal. The bylaws also bar disposing of snow or ice onto a street. Move the plow bank onto your own lot. Sidewalks are plowed after the roads are done. The town says a 1 to 3 inch snow goes faster than a deep one that needs a snow blower.

Wilmington

Wilmington is a town of roughly 21,000 people (2000 census) north of Boston, and its population has quadrupled since World War II. Interstate 93 and Routes 62, 129 and 38 cross it, and much of the land is wetland or beside it. The town is often split into areas such as Silver Lake and North Wilmington, and most households are families.

The overnight parking ban is the main rule that touches a driveway. From December 1 to April 1, no car may be left on a public way between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., whatever the weather. If it snows after April 1 the ban goes back into effect. The town can tow a car that blocks plowing at the owner's cost, and it can fine up to $50 a day. Because cars move into driveways overnight, a clear drive with room for all of them is important.

The town's plow plan clears the streets first, then the sidewalks on the main school routes. The DPW says plows will push snow into cleared driveways and that the owner clears driveway openings. It also says plowing, shoveling or blowing snow back into the street is prohibited and violators will be fined. So the bank the plow leaves must be moved onto your own property.

On sidewalks, businesses must clear the one next to the property within 24 hours of a storm. Homeowners are asked to clear the sidewalk in front of their property. The town plows only a few sidewalk routes, so on other streets that is up to you or your plow service.