Harrison DPW Carries On a Proud Tradition of Curb-to-Curb Snow Removal

When winter storms blanket Harrison in snow and ice, residents can count on a familiar sight: Department of Public Works crews methodically clearing streets curb to curb, restoring parking, access, and a sense of normalcy to the community.

Under the leadership of DPW Superintendent John “Skippy” Starr, Harrison’s Public Works Department continues a long-standing municipal tradition that goes beyond basic plowing. By removing snow all the way to the curb—rather than simply pushing it aside—the DPW provides critical relief to residents in a town where parking is often at a premium after winter storms.

This most recent storm was not the largest Harrison has faced, but the department’s snow-removal strategy remained unchanged. As always, DPW crews prioritized Harrison Avenue and North and South Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard first. These main business corridors are cleared curb to curb so local businesses can resume deliveries and customers can once again find accessible parking. Once those streets are fully cleared, residents are permitted to return their vehicles to the roadway.

Harrison’s redevelopment over the past two decades—set in motion by the late Mayor Raymond J. McDonough—has provided the town with a major advantage during snow emergencies: the multi-level Harrison Parking Garage adjacent to the Harrison PATH station. During snow removal operations, residents are offered free temporary parking at the garage, allowing DPW crews to work efficiently while vehicles are protected from the elements.

Curb to Curb Snow Removal

The importance of this curb-to-curb approach becomes especially clear during prolonged cold snaps, like the recent cold wave that saw temperatures plunge to 8 degrees and remain below freezing for days. Without full snow removal, frozen snowbanks can linger indefinitely, trapping vehicles in place and intensifying competition for scarce parking spaces.

In neighboring communities, such conditions sometimes lead to residents placing chairs, cones, or other objects in the street to “claim” parking spaces—an action prohibited by local ordinances but born of understandable frustration. Harrison’s proactive snow removal helps prevent that scenario, reducing tensions and restoring order to streets far more quickly than partial plowing would.

To keep residents informed, the DPW posts No Parking signage at least one day prior to scheduled snow removal and publicly announces which streets will be serviced on the Town of Harrison website.  Vehicles that are not moved during active operations are subject to ticketing and towing. While the combined cost of a ticket, tow, and storage may seem steep, some residents acknowledge that it can be preferable to the physical strain—or impossibility—of digging a vehicle out of frozen, compacted snow.

At a recent Town of Harrison meeting, Fourth Ward Councilman and DPW Chairman Michael Dolaghan publicly recognized the department’s efforts by reading a letter praising the men and women of Public Works. Referring to them as “Harrison’s Unsung Heroes,” Dolaghan highlighted decades of strong leadership and dedication within the department.

He cited past DPW superintendents, including John “Hip” Dwyer and recently retired Rob Van Riper, noting their commitment to leading by example and earning the respect of their crews. Dolaghan emphasized that today’s DPW continues that legacy under Superintendent Starr’s capable leadership.

“Together we’ve had a partnership based on mutual respect that I have been proud, blessed, grateful, and honored to be a part of,” Dolaghan wrote. “And with upcoming snowstorms, always remember—and be proud of—our tradition and the fact that nobody, and I say nobody, knows how to move snow and make it disappear like the Harrison DPW.”

As winter continues, Harrison residents can take comfort in knowing that when snow falls, and temperatures plunge, a dedicated team is working around the clock—often unseen—to keep streets passable, businesses open, and the town moving forward.

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