The Town of Agawam would like to share some important winter maintenance information, including the placement of trash carts, keeping sidewalks clear, avoiding frozen pipes and keeping fire hydrants clear during the winter months.
Snow Removal and Trash and Recycling Carts
- In the event of a snow storm, residents are asked to wait until 7am of their scheduled collection day to roll carts to the tree belt.
- Residents are asked to remove carts from the tree belts as soon as possible. Please do not leave carts on the tree belt overnight during a snow storm.
- The town is not responsible for any damage to carts left out during a snow event where services have been cancelled.
- Any change in service due to a snow event will be announced on the town’s news page of the web site, as well as through the towns “Code Red” community notification call. To join Code Red, visit the main page of the town website at www.agawam.ma.us
Parking Bans
- During heavy snowfall events, residents are asked to park off the street to allow plows to clear as much of the roadway as possible.
- Parking bans will be posted on the town’s news page of the website, as well as on the local news stations via WWLP, Western Mass News, and the following radio stations; 94.7, 102.1 and 560AM.
- Any vehicle parked in violation of a winter parking ban may be removed by the town, with all charges and expenses incurred at the expense of the vehicle owner.
Sidewalk Maintenance
- Under the Town of Agawam ordinance 155-10, it is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner to keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice within 24 hours after snowfall ends or where ice has encumbered.
- Cleared snow and ice shall not be pushed into streets or other public rights of way.
- Report snow and ice obstructed sidewalks to Agawam Police Department 413-786-4767 or Department of Inspection Services 413-821-0632.
Keep Fire Hydrants Cleared
- Citizens are asked to be observant of fire hydrant locations to ensure that emergency access to those hydrants are maintained.
- The Water and Fire departments ask that a 2 to 3 foot circle around the hydrants be left clear of significant snow accumulations to provide clear emergency access.
Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Have your heating system, water heater, and any other gas, oil, wood or coal-burning appliance serviced by a qualified technician every year.
- Do not use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline or charcoal burning devices inside your home, basement, or garage, or near a window. Generators should be located at least 20 feet from an occupied structure.
- Keep fireplaces clean and well vented
- Inspect home after heavy snow fall and make sure now is removed from around exhaust stacks, vents and fresh-air intakes
Avoid Frozen Pipes
- Drain water from all swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines.
- Remove, drain and store hoses used outdoors.
- Add insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces. Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in these areas.
- Weather strip doors and windows.
- Leave cabinet doors under sinks open, especially if they are located on exterior walls.
- Set thermostats no lower than 55 degrees, even if the house is unoccupied.
- If you are afraid a pipe will freeze, allow the faucet to drip slightly.
- Protect your water meter from freezing to avoid any maintenance or replacement charges