Gloucester and Essex County have been hit particularly hard since the snows began a couple of weeks ago. In the past 17 days, we have received a record setting 70 inches of snow. Not only has there been a lot of snow but it has been cold which has not allowed the snow to melt. The streets are lined with mountains of snow which makes getting around dangerous. We urge residents to exercise caution and take your time when travelling around the City.
The City has committed significant resources towards ensuring snow removal. We have deployed 25 pieces of City equipment and up to 75 pieces of contracted equipment as well as over 100 operators rotating through in shifts to clear snow. Our snow clearing efforts are ongoing and operating around the clock. We ask for your patience while we continue this endeavor.
I would like to say a quick word about the Gloucester DPW. These past few weeks have not been easy; the Director and his team have been working extremely hard. I would like to thank him and everyone at DPW for their incredible work and dedication to this City. Day-in and day-out they continue to do a tremendous job.
Working with Lt. Governor Polito, Senator Tarr and Representative Ferrante, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency has agreed to provide the City with additional equipment to help clear snow. The City also has secured a waiver on a limited basis to dump snow in the ocean from Secretary of Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Mark Beaton. Those efforts will be coordinated through our Department of Public Works
If there is any doubt as to the historic nature of these storms, Governor Baker announced today that he has called in the National Guard to assist with snow removal. The City has forwarded an expansive list of needs to Governor’s office and continues to work with them to meet those needs.
In the coming days, we will continue to widen the City streets and dig out the school and municipal parking lots. We continue to maintain an aggressive snow removal plan while keeping the police and fire stations working and clear of snow.
On behalf of the City, I ask once again for your patience and understanding. Public safety is of the utmost importance. We are a strong community and together will get through this. Keep helping each other, checking on your neighbors and keep an eye on our seniors. Thank you.
Respectfully,
Leonard Campanello
Chief of Police
City of Gloucester, MA
Good Morning Gloucester 
Great message and good news about the help from the State and National Guard for our City. The only fact I disagree with is the amount of snow, I thought we were at 90″ from the past 17 days? Of course it hardly matters once the amounts get that big, but I see it a bit as a badge of honor and further testament to the great work of the DPW and the Mayor and the whole City during these historic storms.
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Good call to call up and activate the guard to help out! 🙂 Dave
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