Have You Noticed the Great Work of Bronxville's Department of Public Works in Plowing and Removing Snow?
Bronxville's Department of Public Works with Village Administrator Jim Palmer (in blue). Photo by N. Bower
By Staff
March 25, 2025: Having driven quite a bit during the snow events this year, I noticed a marked difference between Bronxville and nearby areas.
In Bronxville, streets were quickly cleared, making driving possible. By contrast, driving in nearby areas was much more treacherous. Bronxville is clearly doing something very right in this area.
MyhometownBronxville reached out to Bronxville Village Administrator, Jim Palmer, to learn more about Bronxville's snow removal process.
Palmer explained that the village "follows the weather carefully and plans accordingly." Palmer is also in constant communication with the DPW Foreman Victor Lema.
Palmer said that Bronxville’s Highway Unit, which consists of a crew of 10 men, performs the snow plowing and removal. In the event a storm requires more men, the Sanitation Team, which includes six men, will assist with snow removal.
During the recent blizzard, refuse collection was suspended, and the sanitation team helped clear snow from Village facilities, sidewalks and handicap ramps.
Palmer explained that plows start going out when there is a minimum of two inches of snow. He noted that the "intensity and duration of a snow event helps to determine if guys will team up and follow behind one another."
Prior to plowing, crews will salt the roads and sidewalks.
Palmer said that the crew always starts by plowing "the primary roads, like Pondfield, Sagamore, Kraft, and Parkway." Then they plow the "secondary and neighborhood roads."
Additionally, when there is a big snow event like this year, the Village may hire a private contractor to assist with snow removal in the downtown area, which typically commences at midnight because the Village is too busy during the day."
Mayor Marvin expressed her gratitude for the DPW crew. "On behalf of my fellow Trustees, we could not be more grateful for the public works gentlemen who have chosen Bronxville as their work home. They do their jobs with such professionalism, efficiency and most of all kindness, and sacrifice a lot of time with their family for the betterment of our village.”
Palmer noted that it's important that residents "follow snow emergency declarations and suspensions of ordinary vehicle and traffic laws." He said that this includes "staying off the roads and removing parked cars from streets." He also said that residents "need to ensure that contractors don’t plow snow out into a public road since this creates double work for the DPW."
Palmer said that the DPW team worked long hours for multiple days in a row on several occasions this year, including on Sundays and holidays. "They take pride in the work they do and don’t stop until the job is complete," said Palmer.
Palmer further said, "Foreman Victor Lema is a seasoned professional who sets the tone, and I am very proud of him and his leadership and the commitment and professionalism of the entire Department."
Palmer urged residents to sign up for Bronxville e-alerts because it helps keep people informed of snow and other important time-sensitive information in the village. You can sign up for e-alerts here.
Kudos to Bronxville's snow removal crew for the outstanding work they did this winter!
