Amidst snow storm, plow driver shortage still plagues local communities

NORFOLK, Mass. — Nathaniel Hunter has owned and operated his Norfolk plow company, Hunter Environmental, for more than a decade. He said knows at least three other companies that went bankrupt this winter because there wasn’t enough snow.

“They bet big on snow, they bought equipment, and just didn’t make the money,” Hunter said.

Massachusetts cities and towns have struggled for years to recruit enough independent workers amid a growing plow driver shortage. Bad hours, unpredictable weather, equipment costs and expensive insurance policies are driving more and more people away. According to Hunter, an annual commercial insurance policy can cost a driver $7,000-$10,000 before they’ve earned a cent.

“If I was a smaller company I wouldn’t be able to survive a winter like this. You just wouldn’t have the income to offset the expenses,” Hunter said.

MassDOT set its 2022-23 driver rates and began using road signs in September to advertise the need for drivers. According to the MassDOT website, the state increased its base vehicle rate by 20 percent and offers early sign-up and extended winter bonuses.

“I know contractors who would rather leave their equipment sitting in their garage than be out plowing in the salt and the snow,” Norfolk Public Works Director Blair Crane said.

Crane said the town recently began offering bonuses to drivers to help pay for insurance premiums. He said there are often bidding wars because drivers are so in demand.

“This winter has been tough,” Crane said. “We could always use more [help]. I don’t think there’s ever been a winter in all the years I’ve done this that we’ve had more than enough.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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