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ATTELBORO, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) – Communities across Massachusetts are concerned over a crucial shortage happening at the time of impending winter weather.
Attleboro is one of the many Massachusetts cities experiencing a shortage of snowplow drivers ahead of this weekend’s big Nor’easter.
“We do ask for their patience during these trying times” said Mike Tyler, superintendent of Attleboro’s Department of Public Works.
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Tyler said his department is down at least 15 snow plow drivers and instead of having 100 trucks on the road during the storm, they’ll only have 85. This will require crews to need more time to get the streets clear enough for safe travel.
“Before, traditionally, they could see a big turnaround in about 24 hours [with] conditions in the roads being back down to bare pavement,” Tyler said. “Now the more realistic term is probably closer to 48 hours.”
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The Superintendent blames the shortage on COVID keeping drivers off the job and not finding replacements for drivers who are retiring.
“It’s not a job that the younger generation seems to want,” he said. “They call it a quality of life issue.”
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