Thursday was not for the faint of heart. Most folks hunkered down indoors and watched as the snow swirled, the wind howled and the thunder boomed just outside their homes.

But a few individuals — the snowplow truck drivers — braved the conditions in order to clear off the local roads. Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha is hoping people keep those public works employees in mind when they head out onto the roadway during a snowstorm.

Mr. Cunha said there was an incident during Thursday's storm that would be better avoided in the future. He said a father was pulling his young child on an inflatable sled down the side of a local street, when a plow truck approached.  

"The plow saw them at the last minute and moved to the other side of the street but the father and son continued to walk down their side of the street meaning the passing plow was within 10 feet of the child as it passed," Mr. Cunha wrote in a recent email. "Assuming that the plow will see you and that, as a pedestrian, you have the right of way is not a wise decision under these circumstances."

Fortunately the recent incident did not turn tragic, but the town manager would like to remind people to do what they can to keep roadways safe during storms.

"During snowplowing operations people need to avoid walking in the streets and cars need to pull over as far as possible," he wrote. "Assuming that the plow will be able to stay on its side of the yellow line is not a good assumption."

Mr. Cunha said it's important to remember that plows are required to maintain momentum to push the snow and keep traction — "The more, the snow the faster they are required to travel (within reason)," he added.

Don't forget to clear sidewalks

The Barrington Police Department would like to remind residents and business owners that the law requires anyone with a sidewalk bordering their property to clear that sidewalk of snow and ice by 6 p.m. the day following the storm.

The department would also like to remind people to avoid parking their vehicles on the road when a parking ban is in effect. During a snowstorm earlier this winter, Barrington police had to tow two vehicles. 

The snow removal ordinance (164-5) states:

A. Generally. The owner, occupant or any person having the care of any building or lot of land bordering on any street, highway, square or public place within the Town where there is a sidewalk shall, by 6:00 in the afternoon on the day following any snowfall, cause such snow and/or ice to be removed from the sidewalk as well as areas surrounding any fire hydrants. This section shall also apply to the falling of snow and/or ice from any building.

B. Enforcement. If such snow and/or ice is not removed by 6:00 in the afternoon on the day following the snowfall, such owner, occupant or any person having the duty to care for the property shall pay a fine of $50, except that a warning may be issued for a first offense. The Police Department shall be charged with the duty of enforcement.

C. Hardship. Individuals who are physically incapable of removing the snow and/or ice or who lack financial means to pay for such removal may apply to the Director of the Department of Public Works for a hardship waiver from this article.