I just received this from the Town of Greenfield -Mik

The DPW is advising vehicle operators that potholes are already popping up due to the extreme
change in temperatures we have recently experienced.

Greenfield has 120 miles of roadway. The DPW can not patrol roads 24/7. Potholes can literally
develop in a matter of an hour or two. Drivers are cautioned to drive slowly and not assume any
road is free of potholes this time of year.

According to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 84, for a municipality to be found responsible
for damages caused by alleged defects in the public way the municipality must have received
sufficient prior notice of the defect. When the DPW itself finds a pothole or one is reported, it is
immediately entered into the department’s work order system. Most potholes are repaired within
a reasonable amount of time; if immediate repair to a serious pothole can not be made it is
barricaded in order to warn the public.

Again, drivers need to exercise caution this time of year. Repairs from pothole damage can be
very expensive and because here in Greenfield the department responds quickly to potholes it is
very rare that a claim for damage is awarded.