Along the campus walkways, foot-high piles of shoveled snow line the paths. These piles mark the hard work of Masters maintenance crews during snowstorms. In late January, the Hudson Valley experienced its heaviest snowstorm in five years. By nightfall, snow had totaled over 12 inches in most of Westchester County, prompting New York State to declare a state of emergency.
To keep the campus operating, the maintenance crews shoveled paths and entrances for over 12 hours to keep the Cameron Mann Dining Hall and Fonseca Center open. Director of Buildings and Grounds Joseph Azzone said, “We came in Sunday morning, worked from about 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.”
“It took me six minutes [from Ford Dorm] to get to the Dining Hall because the paths were slippery and the wind was strong, but I saw crews shoveling all around in these conditions,” boarder Esther Ni ‘27 said.
Due to hazardous road conditions, the grounds crews faced commuting challenges. Most workers traveled by car, with commutes of 20 to 45 minutes. Azzone said, “If the roads are iced and you’re driving a sedan, it’s unsafe.” He added, “Even if you get home, parking can be a struggle. You might have to spend hours looking for a spot and park blocks away.” Despite the difficulty, all members of the grounds crew returned home and arrived back at 6 a.m. the next morning to prepare for the school day.
According to Azzone, the grounds team primarily focused on the pathways and car roads. Another branch of the maintenance office, the Environmental Services team, worked on doorways and stairs. Because they were working late, they stayed in the nurses’ suite overnight. “We have permission to crash in the McCormack infirmary and the beds there,” Azzone explained.
The Brock & Company dining services also adjusted to continue feeding students amidst the snowstorm. According to Lee Bergelson, the general manager of dining services, Brock ensured all deliveries through the start of the school week arrived by Friday, two days before the storm hit New York. On Sunday, Jan. 25, dining service closed at 6 p.m., 30 minutes earlier than usual, so staff could be home before the storm worsened.
Since many Brock staffers do not own vehicles, the shutdown of public transportation affected their commutes. “Staff communicated with one another and arranged rides with coworkers, which is how most people were able to get to campus,” Bergelson said. “In supporting the ground crews, we put out coffee and food for them so they can come in during the late night to grab something to eat.”
To appreciate their efforts, boarders in each dorm wrote separate “thank-you” cards. Ni expressed her gratitude: “They sacrificed time they could have spent with their own families during the snow to keep us safe.”
Pointing to cards pinned on the wall of his office, Azzone responded, “It was very nice to get things like this. Recognition means a lot.” “I think everyone is important in this community, and Masters can’t be Masters without them [the maintenance crews],” Ni said.
