Residents living on private roads have until Oct. 16 to request municipal plowing this winter.

In May, voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot question that allows the town to spend money to clear private roads of snow. Per state law, should a neighborhood request plowing that road would then be open to the public.

On Tuesday night, Rob Zora, the superintendent of the Department of Public Works, told Selectmen that crews will inspect the roads for safety hazards no later than Nov. 1.

“The cut off point is Nov. 1. If [residents] haven’t addressed the problems the roads do not get plowed,” Zora said. “We have to draw the line.”

Last year, the first plowable snow fell on Nov. 2.

Town Administrator Paul Dawson said the town developed five criteria that must be met before town trucks will clear snow from private roads.

All speed bumps will have to be removed. Obstacles such as basketball nets, bike racks, brush and more must not be within two to four feet of the curb. Potholes must be repaired. Overhanging branches must be at least 15 feet above the road, and trucks must have enough space to turn around at the end of a road.

“We’re trying to avoid damage to our equipment as we’re going down the road,” Dawson said. “It seems most streets are plowable and will meet this criteria. I don’t think there’s anything outrageous.”

So far, Dawson said very few neighborhoods have requested the service. For a private road to be plowed, a majority of the residents in a neighborhood must agree to it.

Zora said the additional routes will require the town to hire contractors.

“We’re not going to sacrifice service,” Zora said.