Behind the Plows: Holly Springs (NC) Town Council Honors Public Works Team After Winter Storms
Council members recognized crews whose overnight work kept roads open, emergency access intact, and town services running during back-to-back storms.
Holly Springs, NC, Feb.21, 2026 — After two back-to-back winter storms brought snow, ice, and long nights to Holly Springs, town leaders used Tuesday’s town council meeting to recognize the employees who worked behind the scenes to keep roads open and services running.
The recognition focused on the Town’s Public Works Department, whose crews prepared in advance and worked extended hours to maintain safe travel conditions and ensure emergency access across town. Town Manager Randy Harrington told council members the moment was intended to highlight a group of employees residents rely on every day.
“These individuals, along with the amazing colleagues that we have in police and fire, as well, are some of our best employees who are outside every day serving our community,” Harrington said. “These are the team members who our residents interact with the most and who our residents are most likely to see and experience on a daily basis.”
Public Works Director Paige Scott said the department’s response began before precipitation even started, with crews inspecting equipment, preparing plows and spreaders, and pre-treating police, fire, and other critical facilities so emergency services could remain accessible. Because icy conditions were expected, employees were housed locally so they could respond quickly once the weather turned.
When the first storm arrived, a smaller crew worked continuously through the weekend into Monday morning, repeatedly plowing and treating routes before the full staff returned to address remaining trouble spots and follow-up work.
A second, larger system followed just days later, prompting another round of preparation. This time, the department operated rotating crews working 12-hour shifts to maintain continuous coverage, while additional staff cleared downtown sidewalks and checked facilities so they could reopen safely.
Scott told council members the combined response across both storms reflected preparation, teamwork, and pride in the department’s work.
“Across both storms, 30-plus employees worked extended hours in freezing temperatures, plowed 152 routes, spread 220 tons of material, maintained full operational coverage, recorded no injuries, no equipment damage, and no reported accidents, and remained on standby to assist emergency services as needed,” she said.
For Scott, the recognition also highlighted the nature of work that residents often don’t see.
“Often their work happens behind the scenes, overnight, in difficult conditions, so that residents can safely go about their day,” she said. “When roads are clear and facilities open on time, it’s because the team was prepared and ready.”
The council recognition drew one of the largest turnouts of Public Works employees the department has seen at a meeting, something Scott said reflected the pride the team takes in serving Holly Springs — especially when conditions are at their toughest.
“I could not be more proud of the way they represented their department and this town,” she said.
For residents, the impact of that work was simple but significant: roads remained passable, emergency services remained accessible, and town facilities reopened quickly once the weather cleared.