To The Editor:
Being a member of a town road crew has to be one of the most thankless jobs there is. And it is also one of the most important.
On the worst possible days, the ones with the most snow and ice, the strongest winds, the heaviest rains, those are the days – and nights – the road crew will work their longest hours – often not knowing how their own families are doing in riding out the storm. And, more often than not, winter holidays can only be spent with family after the roads are plowed and sanded.
Not only is the weather challenging, but it seems that inevitably a key piece of equipment will be offline when needed the most. The crew does the best they can with what is available. But, it is no fun. It makes for long days and nights.
Somehow it seems that this is about the time the crew will be a man down. I know of no town that has spare equipment operators waiting back at the town garage. The remaining crew does the best they can while being a man or two short.
It is not easy.
I think the job has gotten worse over time. It seems that we townspeople are more demanding, less understanding and certainly more vocal. Has a crew ever put down enough sand? Have they ever plowed often enough, early enough or late enough? And, where is that grader?
I think that about the only time we thank them is when they are recognized at Town Meeting. Seems we can do better. Smile and wave acknowledging them as they drive past. When you come upon them working on your road, slow down and open your window to actually thank them. If you see them in a store grabbing a coffee, spring for it. And I hear they like donuts.
John Burczy
Duxbury
