The freeze and snow was good news for wrecker companies. But for motorists, it wasn't a good weekend to have a vehicle breakdown. Paddack's Wrecking Service in Westfield was handling 10 to 15 calls per hour Sunday while turning down another 15 to 20, said dispatcher Mike Nickel. Stranded drivers who called them waited 2-3 hours Sunday, about 2 hours this morning. Most calls involved pulling trapped vehicles out of snow or taking breakdowns to dealerships.
Snow plowing is a feast or famine business.
Lately, drivers have feasted. Keeping snow and ice off the truck's windshield was the hard part. As heat poured through the defroster, Kraus said his feet would get cold. But when he'd crank the heat up full blast, the cab would get so hot he'd have to have the window open a crack to keep the windshield clear. Plowers charge by the hour and include drive time, Kraus said.