A typically busy midday scene in downtown Springfield was nowhere to be found during Wednesday’s storm. But there were still some folks out and about who had to go to work in spite of the weather. Among those who braved the snow and ice was Mike Waller, who works for a Chicopee-based liquor distributor. He was busy delivering goods to a downtown package store. He says traffic, thankfully, was primarily limited to snow ploughs and emergency vehicles, making his job somewhat easier though still treacherous.

“Main roads are good, side roads are awful,” he says.

“And then having to trudge this from your vehicle to the stores, getting through the sidewalks?” I ask.

“Not much fun at all,” he says laughing. “I’ve got a helper; he’s in there bringing the stuff in the stores. I’m handing it to him over the snowbanks (laughing some more). I would rather be at home. My wife is at home, she’s out of work today. So she goes, you’re crazy to be working today. Well, (the) company wants us to work, we work…right?”

Springfield Police officer Timothy Morrow, who was on foot patrol, says the relatively empty streets have made it easier to clear snow and abandoned vehicles. But he’s advising folks to avoid heading out if at all possible.

“I’d say probably stay home and work on their own driveway, get it clear and put a good movie on if they don’t need to be out.” He says. “But if they have to, the roads are getting better by the minute and we’ll be out here and make sure your travels are safe.”

The storm is expected to wind down Wednesday night