THE CITY OF NASHUA “The Gate Cy
Economic Development Division — Parking Department
TO: Mayor Donchess/V. Chair Cookson
FROM: Jill Stansfield, Parking Operations Foreman
CC: Tim Cummings, Economic Development Director/Finance Committee Members
DATE: October/2017
RE: Parking Department’s Snow Event Responsibilities & Parking Garage Roof Deck Management
Background Context Relative to Snow Removal Process
The Parking Department’s first priority during and/or immediately following each snow event is to clear sidewalks,
crosswalks, and staircases that are located in the immediate downtown area, along with the use of outside
contractors who plow the City’s 15 municipal parking lots. More specifically, the area on Main Street that is the
responsibility of the Parking Department includes, the east side of Main Street between E. Hollis and Lowell Street,
the west side of Main Street between W. Otterson Street and Franklin Street. Starting this year, we will be adding in
the sidewalk portion of Main Street from Franklin Street to the top of Main Street where Main Street turns into
Amherst Street.
In addition to clearing the areas around both of the parking garages and the Main Street sidewalks, the Parking
Department also clears the sidewalk on the north side of W. Pearl Street from Main to Street to Walnut Street,
portions of sidewalk on Elm Street from W. Hollis Street to Mulberry Street, and the Rail Trail from between Main
Street to Elm Street. Additionally, the Parking Department clears the newer walkway between 154 Main Street and
170 Main Street that leads into the Spring Street parking lot, along with 3 staircases which are located on the north
side of Factory Street heading down into the Water Street parking lot, on the north side of Water Street heading
down into the Le Pare Renaissance parking lot, and on the east side of Main Street heading down into the Pearson
Ave. parking lot.
Priorities that follow this include, but are not limited to, plowing the parking garage roof decks, salting and sanding
parking lots, application of ice melt on sidewalks, walkways, staircases where needed, and preparing snow for
removal and/or melting. Factors with each storm can play a role on whether or not we shift the department’s focus,
but the contracted lot plowing along with sidewalks, crosswalks, and other pedestrian travel areas are always the
department’s first priority.
Management of Garage Roof
Due to some of the unprecedented consecutive winter storms we have had during previous seasons, along with long
continuous staff hours, it can take several days before the Parking Department staff can finally begin the plowing of
the garage rooftops.
This has, at times, limited parking for employees, residents, and others, especially during citywide issued snow
emergencies. Outside normal business hours, which is when the city tries to issue most snow emergencies, there is
more than ample parking on the lower levels, which has allowed the department to authorize rooftop permit holders
to park in the covered section of the garages until the rooftop has been plowed. This resolution has worked out well
during the majority of the citywide issued snow emergency events over the past few years. If needed the current
contract the City of Nashua has in place with The Doty Group, has the option to allow for actual removal of snow
following storms on the garage roofs.
The Doty Group, our plowing contractor could make this a priority along with the new parking lot located at 25
Crown Street; however, adding more time will incur more expense, which everyone should be aware of from a
financial or budgeting perspective.
If there is a specific issue please let this department know and we will do our best to remedy the matter. Thank you
for your kind attention to this memo and please do not hesitate to contact me if I can ever be of assistance.
229 Main Street, Suite 234 « Nashua, New Hampshire 03060 e Phone (603) 589-3106
