By Carol Britton Meyer

Following a recent meeting of department heads, Town Manager Philip Lemnios reported that Hull is prepared for whatever this winter may hold, although a shortage of contractors to plow snow is an issue.

“The DPW equipment is ready, and the superintendent of schools [Judith Kuehn] has talked about potential school closures,” Lemnios told the select board this week. “This is a meeting we hold every year to discuss any potential issues and ways we can improve upon last year’s [efforts].”

While the DPW makes every attempt to clear the town’s roads quickly and safely, the usual issues related to the amount of on-street parking and the impacts of drifting snow are exacerbated this year by that shortage of contractors – a challenge faced by many communities, Lemnios noted. “We’re paying competitive rates, so that’s not the issue. It’s just that there are not as many folks [as in past years] who want to do this work.”

What this means, he explained, is that depending on the duration and intensity of a snowstorm, it may take longer for the roads “to be in better shape than many would like.”

When the snow is falling so hard that a large amount of additional snow has fallen once the first round of plowing is completed, the cleanup process lengthens.

“It was a good meeting to ensure everyone is on the same page, so that piece of the puzzle is done,” Lemnios said.

He said the DPW’s first priority is to ensure that police, fire, and medical emergency equipment can move safely on town streets, the second is to open main and secondary roads for use by the public, and the third is to open residential streets, which can take additional time depending on the amount of snow that has fallen. The DPW’s fourth priority is to clear the sidewalks used by students walking to and from school.

A winter parking ban is now in effect through March 31. On-street parking is prohibited on Nantasket Avenue, Atlantic Avenue, Spring Street, and Main Street between 1:30 a.m. and 7 a.m.

During inclement weather, parking will be allowed on the even-numbered side of each street, except in areas where such parking is always prohibited. This will help make the snow removal, sanding, and salting operations run more smoothly and allow for the free flow of traffic, especially emergency vehicles.

In addition to all these measures, the light plant has leased generators again this year to ensure that Hull residents don’t go without electricity and stay warm this winter in the event of a prolonged power outage through National Grid, whose lines supply Hull with power.