Noel Prepared For Inclement Weather
Despite an unusually warm December, the Noel Street Department has still been gearing up for cold weather and the likelihood of snow.
Street Superintendent Christina Willis has been working 10 years for the department, three of which she has been head of the department. Her years of experience make her an expert on winter weather in Noel.
“I try to make sure we’re prepared,” she said. “We’ve got everything ready for (inclement weather).”
The department has two snowplows at the ready along with backup blades. Sand for traction has been purchased, and an additional amount was leftover from last year. Snow chains are ready and waiting to be placed on all the equipment, Willis said.
“We always make sure we’ve got everything fueled up and do a pre-check on everything before we start getting hit,” she added. “It’s all about safety first.”
She explained the process the department follows once the flakes start to fall. First they spread sand at all the intersections, the post office and the doctor’s office — all high traffic areas — followed by hills and Main Street. Then they move out into the subdivisions.
“We just want to make sure people can come to a stop,” she said. “Alexander (Street) gets a little scary sometimes, and Macy (Street) is like a kid’s dream to slide down. We’ve had a few scary runs.”
The department also takes special care of residents who they know need to get out of their homes to go to the doctor. Last year two residents had special medical needs that meant they might need
to go to the doctor frequently, even during a snow storm.
“We try to make sure they can get in and out,” Willis said.
Street Department workers keep the snow plows running as constantly as possible to keep the roads clear, Willis said.
“We kind of like the snow,” she added. “It’s fun to knock it all out. The plow doesn’t do much for ice. It will just make it a slicker sheet running that plow over it. We still try to put the sand down, but it still doesn’t do a whole lot for it.”