GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. - When the temperatures drop low enough, the Great Barrington’s Department of Public Works has been using molasses for the first time to help keep the roads clean.

“We use a molasses-based treated salt," said John Malumphey, highway superintendent. "It works in a lot lower temperatures, helps stick to the road as it's falling off the sander.”

What You Need To Know

  • Gret Barrington has joined other departments of public works in the state who use a salt and molasses brine mix to treat roads in the winter

  • The molasses additive helps the salt adhere to the road at lower temperatures than rock salt

  • Great Barrington's DPW covers about 200 miles of road with 13 plows to clear snow

  • The department is searching for new recruits.

For the snow expected Tuesday into Wednesday, Great Barrington’s DPW is expecting temperatures to be warm enough where they won’t have to use their mix of salt and molasses brine.

“With the regular rock salt, you'll get maybe down 15, 12 to 15 degrees is about the best that will work,” Malumphey said.

“We always have to talk road temperature," said Joe Aberdale, the DPW superintendent. "For the molasses, what it does is it allows the salt to work to a lower temperature down to a -15 or -17 degrees pretty easily.”

Aberdale said although this winter has been mild in terms of snow totals, DPWs across Massachusetts have to be ready for whatever surprises Mother Nature brings.

“We don't really get snowstorms nowadays," Aberdale said. "It's always mixed with a little rain or ice or really cold temperatures. So, you know, as far as plowing roads and dropping salt, it's one thing. But to plan and handle the difference in, you know, road temperatures, the difference in atmospheric temperatures, the changing of the atmosphere temperatures - we have to adjust the plan during the storms.”

It’s a challenge the town of Great Barrington takes on with only a few trucks.

“200 miles of road with 13 plows," Aberdale said. "It's a challenge, especially after hours of doing it.”

“We have a really good crew down here," Malumphey said. "Whatever they're asked to do, when they're out on the road, the big thing is just be careful. Take your time with what you're doing. We're all here until the storm is over and there's no need to rush.”

And for their crew, until spring comes, Mulumphey said, "You just plow, plow, plow until the storm is over and go on, wait for the next one."