Business & Tech

Heavy Snowfall Brings Windfall for Plow Drivers

While residents are tired of the white stuff, snow clearing companies are pleased with the chance for additional work.

There's no business like "snow business."

That's the motto of some local snow removal service companies, and this year — they're in the money.

With one of the snowiest winters on record, Fairfield County has experienced storms every few days with the exception of this week's welcome relief, snow melt, and sunny skies.

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The National Weather Service reports snow totals have amounted to 56.4 inches to date this winter in Bridgeport, which is the observing station the service has monitored for decades. More localized reports, however, cite a range of between 50 and 70 total inches throughout the county.

According to Meteorologist Joe Pollina of the weather service, there is a chance for "a lot more snow" before the winter ends. Exactly how much is hard to say, but local snow removal service companies are happy to be out there cleaning up.

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For Heriberto Reyes, owner of Eddie's Lawn Care in Fairfield, this winter his business has nearly quadrupled. He first opened just last year with less than 20 residential customers, but this year he serves about 80.

With one truck and three employees, Reyes said all this snow has kept him busy enough to purchase more plows and expand the business for next year.

"Every time it snows, no matter how much it is, I'm three days outside — a full three days," he said. "That's how busy it is. Sometimes my customers get mad because I don't have time to get them."

That should change, he said, once he buys the new trucks and brings on additional employees. As a new business owner, Reyes said he couldn't be happier with his company's growth, but even he tires of the snow after three full days of plowing every week without much rest.

"I've never been so busy in my life," he said. "That's great, that's awesome, but I'm sick of the snow too."

Next week is expected to be another one of mild winter weather, which will give snow plow drivers a break.

"We aren't expecting any significant storms to impact the area for the next week," Pollina said. "Looking out beyond a week, for the next month and next three months, there are equal chances of seeing above, below, or normal conditions for temperature and precipitation."

"So, although there is a chance of being above normal for precipitation, and below normal for temperature (which would give us what we need for a lot more snow), the chances are just as equal that we won't see these conditions," he said.

Tony Palmer of Tony Palmer Landscaping Co. LLC, based in Westport, is expecting more snow on the horizon and hopes that's the case since he just bought more equipment to serve his customers. He's had to purchase triple the amount of equipment and supplies compared to previous years due to the intensity of this winter's storms.

Palmer plows largely for commercial clients and some select residential customers. His commercial clients range from office parks and storage facilities to fast food restaurants, strip malls and medical buildings in many Fairfield County towns including Trumbull, Wilton, Norwalk, Westport, Shelton and Stamford.

"We're busier; we're out more consistently," he said. "There is more to deal with — more pre- and post-treatment."

Palmer said his company has close communication with a private weather service, which separates his business from many others and allows him to be at the ready for incoming storms.

"Everyone all around is accumulating more hours and with additional hours, there is also an additional expense," Palmer said of the snowy season. "We don't raise our rates because we are under contract. We have a very good rapport with our clientele and ... if we have to do extra (snow clearing) we will."

With more than a month to go before the official first day of spring, Palmer, Reyes and others expect to remain in the snow business for a while longer.


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