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Snow Makes Oil Deliveries More Difficult In Boston Area

BOSTON (CBS) - The snow and cold weather have oil delivery workers working overtime.

The drivers said they contend with pulling hoses over seven foot snowbanks and then snow piled five feet to reach homes. At suburban homes, hoses often have to be pulled 150 feet. In the city, there are also narrow streets and no parking due to the snow.

Scott MacFarlane owns MacFarlane Energy in Dedham. At 63-years young he's back making deliveries himself because the demand for oil is so great. The calls started before the blizzard and keep on ringing.

oil delivery
Scott MacFarlane delivers oil (WBZ-TV)

"I can't wait until April. And, when do you hear that from an owner of an oil company?" said MacFarlane.

He said this winter and the Blizzard of '78 are at the top of the list for the toughest circumstances to deliver oil.

"It's a killer. We're trying to give drivers helpers, so two are pulling the hose," said MacFarlane.

MacFarlane has ten oil trucks in his fleet and right now they're each making 30-35 deliveries a day, seven days a week.

"With the exception of the last two weeks, I really like this job," said MacFarlane.

His company even started a contest for their customers to encourage them to clear paths to their homes.

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