North Attleborough woke up Monday, Jan. 26, to a familiar New England scene – plows clearing the roads and students enjoying a snow day.
The National Weather Service reported North Attleborough received 11.5 inches of snow, confirmed by two official observations. An official spotter recorded that total at 9 p.m. Sunday, and an amateur radio report matched that figure shortly after.
Across Bristol County, totals were even higher. Dighton led the county with 16 inches, followed by Rehoboth at 13.4 inches. Statewide, the storm dumped heavy snow in several areas, with the highest total so far reported in Sterling at 22 inches. Those totals remain ongoing and could change as the NWS continues to collect and release official snowfall reports.
Town officials said cleanup efforts were ongoing as of early Monday afternoon, with the Department of Public Works focused on clearing both roadways and sidewalks throughout the community.
Communications and Information Officer Taylor O’Neil said the snow’s light, powdery texture significantly aided plowing operations. That type of snow made it easier for crews to move quickly and efficiently, especially compared with heavier, wetter snow that can stick to roads and slow cleanup.
“Overall compliance with the parking ban was strong,” O’Neil said, adding that only a limited number of vehicles required removal with assistance from the North Attleborough Police Department. “Overall, we thank our residents for their cooperation.”
DPW crews were also preparing for more snowfall expected Monday afternoon, and residents were reminded not to push or deposit snow into roadways or onto sidewalks, as doing so hinders snow operations and creates safety concerns.
“Our DPW crews did outstanding work throughout this storm, and I want to thank them for their tireless efforts,” said Town Manager Michael Borg. “Snow operations are an endless job, and even as cleanup continues today, we are already preparing for the next storm. I also want to thank our public safety teams for being fully staffed and ready to respond throughout the event, as well as our residents for their cooperation and patience.”
North Attleborough Electric Department General Manager Peter Schiffman said the department received zero outage calls, which he described as “unbelievable” given the storm’s size.
He attributed the lack of power interruptions largely to the snow’s consistency, which did not weigh down trees or utility lines.
“If you asked 10 people, you’d get 10 different answers,” Schiffman said, “but I’d say it was the nature of the snow — it stayed on the ground and off the trees, so we didn’t see sagging limbs or falling branches.”
Schiffman also credited the department’s maintenance and preparedness. He noted that North Attleborough’s system is “robust and highly maintained,” often more so than larger utility companies. With news of a potential nor’easter hitting Massachusetts again this weekend, Schiffman said his team is prepared.
“As the storm approaches, we are on emergency advisory board calls with the town, department chiefs and school officials,” Schiffman said, noting that operational staff remain on-site throughout the event. “Once snow hits, it’s hard to get here.”