Long Valley's Road Crew Ready As Season's First Snow Storm Moves In

LONG VALLEY, N.J. – The salt has been sitting and the equipment winter-ready for several weeks. There’s just been no need to use it.

For Washington Township’s Department of Public Works Superintendent Scott Frech, it means one of the quietest winters in his nearly-30 year career, and a whole lot of time to prepare.

Forecasters believe the potential for a very large snowstorm could make landfall in northern New Jersey Friday night into Saturday this week, marking for the first time this winter season a snowfall of more than an inch in the area.

See related: WEATHER: Snow Coming To Long Valley Area Friday Could Be ‘Big One’

“We were ready about six to eight weeks ago,” Frech said Tuesday morning. “We’re all prepped. At this point it’s just a matter of dotting our Is and crossing our Ts.”

Frech said he won’t have a better handle on the potential size and duration of the storm until at least Wednesday, with more developments coming as the week moves on. It’s then he’ll be able to start splitting his crews to take day and night shifts.

As for the timing of the storm, Frech said he couldn’t ask for a better day.

“Overnight Friday into Saturday is great for us,” he said. “No one’s on the road, we don’t to worry about travelers trying to get to work or schools. It makes our job that much easier.”

If the first substantial snowfall of the season does indeed blanket the area this weekend, residents can rest assured the roads will be clear in no time.