Watch more and discuss:<br />http://norwalk.itsrelevant.com/content/13317/City_Learns_Lessons_from_Irene,_Sandy<br /><br />Norwalk officials say they can't complain about how the city handled this past weekend's blizzard. <br /><br />"We did well with the resources we have to handle that kind of stuff," says Dept. of Public Works Director Hal Alvord. <br /><br />The storm dumped 22 inches on Norwalk, but major plowing was done by 7 p.m. Saturday, and cars were back on the roads. <br /><br />"The plan [we] had, [we] had it all planned out, the rest periods all planned out," Alvord says. "Nobody was released until every road was cleared." <br /><br />"We really did well, and it was because of the planning and the organization," says Mayor Richard Moccia. <br /><br />Both Alvord and Moccia say complaints were at a minimum. <br /><br />Moccia said he normally gets 30 to 40 emails and complaints during a snow storm. <br /><br />"I only had three complaints," he said, in regard to this past weekend. <br /><br />"We've been getting a lot of compliments," Alvord says. "Which is unusual, because Public Works people don't normally get complimented. <br /><br />For what could have been better, Alvord says he thought the schools, closed on Monday, could have been opened. Moccia says seasoned drivers may have worked better. <br /><br />"The new drivers, could they have done a better job on their first pass as they're learning how to plow?" Moccia asked. <br /><br />He added, "But that's not an easy job. With that snow, that heavy, to drive a plow down the street that fast, to move it, to miss cars" <br /><br />Overall, they say the city honed its planning skills from Hurricanes Irene and Sandy, and used those lessons. <br /><br />"Our focus is Norwalk, and we're trying to do the best job we can for Norwalk," Alvord says. <br /><br />"Something was reinforced," Moccia says. "Get the troops in early, get them out there early, pre-treating and making sure they're on standby and ready to go."
