FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, they can.  Gravel roads typically get washboard conditions but can have spots where individual potholes show up.  It is usually in the winter and is caused by salt falling off cars and thawing a spot in the gravel which in turn gets mined out by wheel action. These can be filled with gravel or hardpack and disappear the first time the grader is out.

Trimming trees and vegetation near power lines requires special training and equipment that only the power companies have.  Because of that the Town will not deal with any trees or limbs less that 15’ from a power line.

Enfield has six roads that have been designated at scenic including Eastman Hill Rd., Kluge Rd., Ibey Rd., Boy’s Camp Rd., Oak Hill Rd., and Lockehaven R. from the Crystal Lake Dam to the Grafton town line.  Tree work can be done by the Town or the utilities after seeking a public hearing and approval from the Enfield Planning Board.  There is an exemption for emergencies and hazardous situations.

Under ideal circumstances, we can predict fairly accurately when we will have streets in various sections of the Town plowed. As weather conditions change, we often must alter our snow-fighting strategy during the snow removal operations in order to control drifting snow, ice or other special problems. We cannot give you an estimate of when your street will be cleared due to ever-changing weather conditions.

Potholes are typically cleaned out and filled with hot bituminous asphalt mix.  Filling potholes in the winter is complicated because hot asphalt is not available, and the alternative becomes “cold patch” material. Cold patch does not melt into the surrounding pavement making it difficult to properly patch each hole. You will find some potholes that need to be filled in several times a year because of it. 

The Enfield DPW periodically sends staff out to fill potholes.  Please report any potholes directly to DPW by emailing highway [at] enfield.nh.us (highway[at]enfield[dot]nh[dot]us) or calling (603) 632-4605 especially if they are in line with where wheels generally travel.  Potholes observed on US Route 4, NH Route 4A, Main Street, or Shaker Hill Road should be reported to the NH Department of Transportation District 2 office at (603) 448-2654.

As we plow from curb to curb to provide for safe vehicular flow and mail delivery, snow may inadvertently fall onto the sidewalk. Unfortunately, there are a number of locations in the city where the park area is very narrow and the plowed snow covers the sidewalks. Some have suggested that the plows should go through these areas at a slower speed so the snow will not be thrown onto the sidewalks. However, the plows must maintain a certain speed in order to keep the snow from sticking onto the blades of the plow. We do not store the snow on medians because the snow can cause sight problems for traffic.

There are approximately 2,200+ driveways in Enfield. If we used all our plows and spent just 60 seconds per driveway, it would take 36 hours to clean driveways alone. One thing you can do to minimize the problem is to pile snow that has been shoveled from the driveway on the downstream side of the driveway. Then if the snowplow hits the pile, it will be moved onto the grass or sidewalk, not back into your driveway. The plow crews do not come back and plow out any driveways.

Potholes are created when the water underground expands and contracts. When water freezes it expands and causes pavement to weaken, bend, and crack. When the water melts the pavement begins to shrink leaving gaps or voids under the pavement and this allows water to seep through and become trapped. The freeze thaw cycle of the water expanding and contracting weakens the pavement to the point where it can no longer withstand the weight of the vehicles. Pieces begin to break creating a pothole. 

A tree is defined as having a circumference of 15 inches or more when measured from 4’ above the ground.

We wish we had enough snowplows and drivers to take care of every street right away, but our resources are limited and so we must adhere to a carefully laid out system for clearing the streets. If we allowed our plows to be diverted each time a special request was made, our system would be destroyed, and it would take far longer to get all the streets in the Town cleared. To keep our snow removal operations as effective and efficient as possible, plows are not permitted to deviate from their assigned routes. 

Different types of storms require the use of different snow-fighting techniques. The decision whether to salt or plow depends upon the expected weather conditions. For example, if the temperature is below 20 degrees and not expected to rise, salt will not be effective. But if the sun is shining and the temperature is 20 degrees or more and expected to remain steady or to rise, then salt would be more effective. The decision whether to plow or salt is made with great consideration and based on the latest weather information available. Plowing under the wrong conditions can create a polished street surface, resulting in dangerous glare ice. The decisions made by an experienced crew and supervisory personnel are critical.

This is necessary to keep growth out of ditches, to keep vegetation from hitting vehicles, and to allow sunlight light in for quicker thawing and drying of road surfaces.  It is also required to perform tree maintenance in the road right-of-way under statute 231:150 which reads: Governing bodies of cities and towns, and county commissioners for unorganized places shall annually, and at other times when advisable, cause to be cut and disposed of, from within the limits of town-maintained highways, all trees and bushes that may cause damage or pose a safety hazard to such highways or to the traveling public.

Each snowplow has an assigned route. If the trucks spread salt on the way to their destination, then they wouldn't have enough to spread along their own route. Plowing along the way would mean it would be just that much longer until the truck reached its assigned route.

It takes between 3 & 4 hours to complete each snow route. Depending on time of day or day of the week, the order in which each route is plowed may vary. Some streets will be skipped until cars are moved so that plows can safely maneuver. 

Bus routes and arterial streets have priority for snow plowing. Residential streets with hills of 2 percent or more grade are second priority. The remainder of the streets are then plowed.