CHILTON, Wis. — Tuesday’s snow likely isn’t the most Tony Leitner will see this winter. But he and other plow drivers in Calumet County were out making sure roads were safe for travelers.
“We’re monitoring the roads for any snow accumulation and applying salt where needed, mainly bridge decks and overpasses, is what we’re really keeping an eye on,” he said.
A few inches of snow are forecast to fall in many parts of Wisconsin this week. It’s the first notable snowfall of the year for Calumet and surrounding counties.
“It’s good to see,” Leitner said. “Every year, you kind of dread it at the same time because sometimes it can get pretty stressful and chaotic in winter time. It seems early this year, but it’s inevitable every year that it’s going to happen sooner or later. It’s here; you’ve got to deal with it.”
Calumet County Highway Superintendent Chad Scheinoha said Tuesday’s snow gives the department an opportunity to fine-tune its equipment ahead of larger storms.
“It’s really a good test of our gear and a way to ease back in,” he said. “We didn’t have to go out overnight. It started about 4:30 or 5 this morning, so the guys came in at their normal time, 6 o’clock. Stuff started getting slippery and we had a few plows on the road.”
It’s also a chance for drivers to get reacquainted with seeing plows doing their jobs.
“The biggest message I could give to people is slow down,” Scheinoha said. “The public hears that over and over and over again, but that’s the biggest thing, slow down and give our plows some room.”
Large or small snow totals, Leitner and other plow drivers will hit the roads and highways when called.
“The sense of satisfaction is that we’re providing safe travels for the public and keeping the roads as safe as possible for everybody,” he said.