Frequently Asked Questions

Sand is available for Cheshire residents to pick up for use on their own property. Residents must bring their own containers to the Public Works Garage, 1286 Waterbury Road between 7:30 am and 3 pm, Mondays through Fridays. Identification may be requested.

To report plow damage, contact the Public Works office at 203-271-6650 or email. Describe the damage, the location on your property, and when it occurred. An investigation will be made. If it is determined that the Town is responsible, the Public Works crew will make repairs. Landscaping and curb repairs can only be made in the spring or summer, but your request will be held in queue. You will be notified if the Town is not responsible so that you can make other arrangements for repair.

Property owners have 24 hours after the storm ends (or 24 hours after sunrise following a nighttime storm) to clear the abutting sidewalks. Extensions are made until 6 am the following day if schools are closed or if the Town Manager declares an official snow emergency.

Violations are punishable by a $100 fine. At the request of the Police Department, if a property-owner fails to clear the sidewalk, the Town will clear it and deliver a bill for the expense. To report violations, contact the Police Department at 203-271-5500.

Parking bans are put into effect by the Police Department 203-271-5500 and are listed on the Town's website and local news stations.

All Town vehicles are equipped with GPS tracking and their speed can be checked. They do not often exceed 25 to 28 mph while plowing, although the truck may look (and sound) as though it is traveling faster. 

That said, the goal of the plow driver is move the snow to the side of the road. The speed of the truck is directly related to these factors: 

• the volume of snow of the street
• the consistency of the snow
• the height of the snow piles already on the side of the street

The plow truck must travel faster to throw heavier and/or deeper snow over higher berms.

The Public Works crew plows the streets curb to curb, or as close as possible. Whatever snow is left in front of mailboxes must be removed by the property owner. If an unreasonable amount of snow has been left on the street, please call 203-271-6650 or email to request a pushback.

The Public Works crew will remove snow at intersections to maintain traffic sight lines. Following a large storm, this may take several days. The Department depends on reports received from motorists about particular problem intersections. Please call 203-271-6650 or email.

The property owner is responsible to keep catch basins clear for drainage. To avoid flooding once melting begins, property owners should make every effort to open catch basins.

Access to the street for crosswalks and handicapped ramps is maintained by the abutting property owner as part of the sidewalk clearing.

Cul-de-sacs present unique plowing challenges. Some properties have narrower frontages than lots on straight streets, requiring snow to be pushed into a smaller space. Sometimes there are long stretches between driveways and the plow blades pick up extra snow before unloading onto the open driveway area. Cul-de-sacs without an island have even more plowing area and, as a result, even more snow that must be moved to the side.

Consider clearing a "drop area" before the plow reaches your driveway to reduce the amount of snow that is left behind.

Snow casts onto sidewalks and driveways is an unfortunate by-product of snow plowing. Plowing moves the snow from the street to the side of the road. A normal cast from the plow is about 8 feet from the curb.

If you can wait to clear your sidewalk until 6 to 8 hours after the snowfall has ended, you will be less likely to have to shovel a second time. Consider clearing a "drop area" before the plow reaches your driveway to reduce the amount of snow that is left behind.

The crew plows "curb to curb" to maintain the travel width of the street and so that catch basins are clear to accept run-off as snow melts.

If you will not be able to receive mail, contact the Post Office at 203-272-3594 and request that your mail be held.

Within 48 hours of the end of the storm, contact the Public Works office at 203-271-6650 or email us to report the damage and when you believe it occurred. The debris from a damaged mailbox must be left in place until it has been examined by a representative from the Town, which may not occur until several days after the storm ends. If it is determined that a Public Works vehicle struck the box, the Town will make repairs or will offer either to install a "standard" replacement box and post or to reimburse up to $100 each for a box and/or post purchased by and installed by the resident. Receipts are submitted to the Public Works office at Town Hall, Room 213, 84 South Main Street after the resident has been advised that the Town is responsible for the damage.

Note: It is the responsibility of the resident to repair a mailbox that was improperly constructed or improperly placed or which sustained damage from the weight of the snow cast from the plow.

There is a priority system for plowing, but one street is always the last one plowed. Main streets which carry the most volume are plowed first. Residential through streets are plowed next and cul-de-sacs or dead end streets are last. It takes up to 8 hours to completely clear a plow route.

During a parking ban, any vehicle parked on the street is subject to being ticketed by the Police Department. A fine may be imposed and the vehicle may be towed. In addition, basketball hoops and other private property must be removed from the right-of-way.