Lakeville, Middleboro work to keep roads clear as heavy snowfall continues

Lakeville and Middleboro have seen an estimated 8-10 inches of snowfall as of Sunday night, and precipitation is expected until Monday.

Residents are urged to stay off the roads during the storm and travel only when necessary to stay safe and allow for efficient snow removal.

Middleboro Fire Chief Owen Thompson said the town’s Department of Public Works has been able to keep main roads clear, focusing on ensuring emergency routes are passable.

“The secondary roads are a little more clogged up but DPW is getting to them as fast as they can,” he said. “Emergency routes are our primary focus to maximize people's ability to get around.”

A few minor accidents have been reported, but Thompson said people have done a good job of staying off the roads throughout the later part of the day.

He said the town does not expect any major power outages due to the light consistency of the snow, but said the Nichols Middle School will be opened as a heating center if needed.

In Lakeville, Fire Chief Michael O'Brien said MassDOT plows have struggled to keep roads plowed, with limited staff and a fast rate of snow accumulation.

“Fortunately, it seems that most people hear the warnings and stay home. The streets are pretty empty, except for the plow drivers that are out and about,” O’Brien said. “It's a mess out there, the roads are really bad unfortunately.”

Beyond a call for a car that collided with a telephone pole, he said there have been no accidents or injuries due to the snow.