UPDATED, March 5: Heavy, wet snow on Monday, March 4, closed all public and parochial schools in town, as well as Minuteman High School. The fast-moving snow storm led the town to declare a snow emergency and parking ban, from 11 p.m. Sunday, March 3, until noon Monday, March 4.
The National Weather Service listing for snow totals says Arlington Heights had received 13.1 inches by 11:33 a.m. March 4. A trained spotter posted 12.4 inches in Lexington at 6 a.m.
Public works has concluded snow operations for the day. No overnight snow-removal operations are planned for the evening of March 4 to allow work crews to rest. Work around routes to schools are to begin Tuesday, March 5, after school is in session.
Overnight snow-removal operations are planned for Tuesday into Wednesday to focus on crosswalks and intersections along Mass. Ave. Public-safety officials remind residents to exercise caution on the roadway as high snow banks may obstruct views and drops in temperatures will result in icy conditions.
Also on March 4, trash was collected as usual.
After a storm, it is equally important for all residents and businesses to keep public walkways, fire hydrants and catch basins clear.
For additional future updates, snow policies, reminders and tips, please visit arlingtonma.gov.
Town bylaws regarding snow, ice removal
The bylaws require residents and businesses to remove snow and ice from any sidewalks abutting their property following a storm. Residents should remove snow and ice from abutting paved sidewalks within eight hours between sunrise and sunset after a storm, businesses and owners of any residential property utilized for apartment house or multi unit condominium use that abuts a paved sidewalk have three hours. Please don’t forget to cut a path to the street if you live on a corner. It is also prohibited to move snow into the roadway. Failure to comply with these bylaws can result in a fine of $25 to $50 per day.
Parked cars in roadway
Cars parked in roadways during snow removal operations can impede removal progress. Residents are encouraged to park their vehicles off-street during these events so Public Works can complete the task more efficiently and with better results.
Adopt a fire hydrant, catch basin
The Arlington Fire Department asks residents and business owners to adopt a fire hydrant in their neighborhood. When it snows, take the time to shovel around it as well as to it. A clear hydrant expedites their deployment in the event of an emergency.
There are more than 3,000 catch basins in Arlington. While the Arlington Department of Public Works regularly schedules and completes catch basin cleanings, it is not possible to clear every catch basin grate prior to a storm event. Monitoring of the catch basin is recommended throughout the fall, winter, and before/during a storm event as additional debris may clog the grates. Blocked catch basins prevents water from properly entering the Town’s drainage system and increases the risk of street flooding.
Secure trash, recycling at curb
Trash, recycling and yard waste containers should be on the curb and secured in a manner to prevent them from going into the roadway and impeding snow removal operations. Placement is delayed a day because the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, Monday. Jan. 21. Bylaws require that waste be placed for collection at the curb no earlier than 6 p.m. the evening before scheduled collection. Items buried in snow will not be collected and if left out on the curb after your collection day may be subject to a fine. Storm conditions may require some extra planning on when to bring out your items.
Other ways to help include: clearing any catch basins near your property and assisting neighbors who may need extra help with snow removal. The LINKS program serves many seniors in Town, but cannot serve them all.
Important phone numbers
Residents are reminded of the following important phone numbers and recommend you print, or otherwise make available offline should you lose power:
– Report downed electrical wires: call 911 and Eversource at 1-800-592-2000.
– Report a power outage to Eversource at 1-800-592-2000 or at eversource.com.
– Report a downed street tree or limb to DPW dispatch at 781-316-3301.
Note: Lime bikes were to be removed on Saturday, Jan. 19, before the storm. They will return after the storm when conditions allow.
Be alerted about snow emergencies/parking bans
When a snow emergency/parking ban it put into place, the town will send a notification via Arlington Alerts (phone, text, and email), Town Notices (regular email list), on its social media channels (Facebook and Twitter), and the Town’s website. If you are not subscribed to these services you can do so in the Communications Center at arlingtonma.gov/subscriber.
School closing notifications are posted at http://www.arlington.k12.ma.us/home/
The Town of Arlington is dependent on the cooperation of all residents and business owners to keep our public ways safe during the winter season. For more information on snow and ice operations including links to these bylaws, tips to keep safe this winter, and frequently asked questions, please visit the Snow & Ice Information page at arlingtonma.gov/snow.
This news announcement was published Sunday, March 3, 2019, and updated March 5.
