PITTSFIELD, Mass. - Snow on the ground in Pittsfield just after Halloween has many thinking it could be a scary winter for snowfall totals, but Pittsfield’s public works commissioner Ricardo Morales said the department is ready for the winter months.

“We're certainly prepared," Morales said. "We’re expecting a wet season with lots of snowfall based on the NOAA winter outlook.”

What You Need To Know

  • Wednesday's snow marks the first of the season for many communities in Massachusetts, including Pittsfield

  • The City of Pittsfield is anticipating above-average precipitation this season based on the NOAA winter outlook

  • Pittsfield's Department of Public Services has taken steps to improve their approach to clearing roads in the winter 

Pittsfield Public Utilities follows the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s outlook for winter and this year, NOAA is predicting above-average precipitation and warmer-than-average temperatures for the area.

“That seems to be good news overall," Morales said. "But it does bring this mixed wintry condition that we, you know, sometimes can struggle with.”

Last winter brought some heavy and mixed storms to Pittsfield, including one where the conditions caused 74 cars to be involved in reported collisions around the weekend of Christmas.

Morales said the department is better prepared now with personnel, materials and equipment.

“Our department is certainly prepared to the call, whatever comes," Morales said. "We've had since last winter. We've increased the number of trucks that we have, snowplows, our snow fighters, we have more now.”

Morales said Pittsfield now has a fleet of seven plows which are all equipped to carry liquid magnesium chloride and rock salt for improved ice-melting. He said the hiring of an additional driver and foreperson will help the department be more efficient during long duration storms and manage contractors.

Morales also highlighted the new monthly newsletter available to the public.

“I expect people take great advantage of it because it's all about winter, what we do, what to expect, among other things, you know, other updates as well," Morales said. "So, I would say for residents in Pittsfield, it's important, a good read to stay informed of what we're doing our department.”

The monthly newsletter can be found on the public services page of the city’s website, and is titled “The Works Newsletter”.