Foxborough's Snow Budget Maxed Out with Another Storm on the Way

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February is proving to be an expensive month for Foxborough as two straight weekends of snow has wiped out the town’s snow and ice removal budget with another potential storm on the way.

The Blizzard of 2013 cost the town roughly $153,000 and last weekend’s snowfall further depleted the remaining funds.

“Whatever was left [in the snow and ice removal budget after the Blizzard of 2013] was eaten up last weekend,” Hill said. “So [Town Manager] Kevin [Paicos] and [Financial Director] Randy [Scollins] briefed the Advisory Committee [Wednesday night] so legally we can overspend for any additional snow and ice needs.”

That need could come as early as this weekend with local forecasts calling for another snowstorm to hit Foxborough.

Forecasters are predicting Foxborough could get 6-10 inches of snow Saturday and Sunday.

According to WHDH meteorologist Pete Bouchard, snowfall is predicted to begin Saturday afternoon and will continue through midday Sunday.

"After midnight, the storm will get a little meatier. Snow intensity will increase into Sunday morning. Heavy snow through Sunday morning. Tapering to flurries by mid afternoon on Sunday," Bouchard writes in his weather blog.

The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for Norfolk County as of 5:05 p.m. Thursday. They are calling for the region to get 6-10 inches of snow.

“There is high probability for a strong coastal storm to impact Southern New England late Saturday into Sunday,” the NWS statement read. “A lot of uncertainty remains given that the storm is still nearly three days in the future … so exact snowfall amounts remain uncertain. The storm will bring the potential for heavy wet snow to the region. At this time … the best chance for this will be north of the Massachusetts Turnpike and away from the coast. However … the threat for a period of heavy snow is possible across much of the region. There will be the potential for some downed tree limbs and power outages where heavy wet snow occurs. Strong winds along the coast may also require the need for some wind headlines.”

The snow is expected to be heavy and may cause power outages.

Hill said while it’s still a little early to predict snowfall amounts for Foxborough, the DPW is readying the equipment for another long weekend of snow removal.

“All the equipment that was down after last weekend is now up and running, all the plows will be hooked up [Friday] if the forecast holds and we have plenty of salt,” Hill said.

As the DPW preps for the potential snowstorm, Hill provided residents with the following winter storm information:

If a vehicle impedes the services of snowplows in the operation of clearing roadways, said vehicle will be towed at the owner's expense.

Vehicle parking on roadways during snowstorms is not allowed.

There is a town by-law in place that states snow may not be thrown out on a public way, i.e. sidewalks or roadways.

As for any damages to mailboxes, plantings, fences and any other property placed within the town layout/right of way, the DPW says the town is not responsible.

"The town will not be responsible for damages as a result of snow removal operations except in cases where the elderly, infirmed or handicapped reside," the statement said. "In the case of the latter, the town will provide the labor to install what was damaged provided the resident buys the replacement."

The DPW asks homeowners to shovel out drains and fire hydrants "to keep them as free from snow and ice as possible."

Furthermore, sand and salt is available to Foxborough homeowners only, located at the Town Highway Garage by the School Bus fence at 70 Elm St.

"Please do not come during the storm," the statement said. "It will impede Highway personnel and private contractors from entering and exiting the garage to engage in snowplowing operations."