Snow Removal

Street Prioritization

We prioritize the streets according to traffic volumes and public safety requirements, focusing first on bus routes, school access (pedestrian and vehicular) and primary access routes for emergency vehicles.

Snow Removal Policy

The Town of Basalt asks for cooperation from residents in the following areas

  • Residential neighborhoods: All snow from private property or adjacent sidewalks needs to be stored on private property. The town asks that residents be responsible for clearing snow along sidewalks adjacent to your property (if they are not part of the safe routes to school sidewalk plow route done by the Town) and in or around driveways, mailboxes, and fire hydrants.
  • Private snow plowing and shoveling: Placing, dumping or pushing of snow onto city streets or right-of-ways from adjacent properties is prohibited.
  • Street parking: Parking restrictions apply to certain streets in the town. Parking areas have signage stating, "Snow Route No Parking 3 a.m. to 6 a.m." Cars parked illegally may be towed .
  • Safety around plows: Please slow down and use caution when snow removal equipment is on the roads. Follow well behind the plow with your headlights on and keep back a minimum of 50 feet to avoid driving in the operators blind spot. Stay clear of flying snow and sanding material. Stay clear of plows backing up.
  • Child safety: This winter we have large mounds of snow throughout the Town of Basalt. The ongoing snow removal efforts require that snow be continually pushed to these areas. Please ensure that children refrain from playing on, in and around snow mounds when snow removal equipment is working.

Snow Removal Staff

The Town of Basalt Public Works Department provides professional and timely snow removal in both Basalt and Willits. The snow crew consists of all 9 full time Public Works employees including the water department and are on call 24/7 during winter months. Depending on the timing of the storm or buildup of ice we start as early as 4 a.m. This crew consists of six plow drivers (4 that have attached sanders) to clear streets, two small equipment operators for sidewalks and trails, and one hand shoveler to clear public areas where we can't fit the small equipment typically stairways, pedestrian bridge, and real narrow paths.