After 25 inches of snow close schools much of 3 days, town gets back to normal

Wind and heavy snow brought down a tree and transformer on Morton Road Feb. 13. / Photo via APD

 UPDATED, Feb. 15: Arlington singer and voice teacher Sarah Vincelett Dredge, 29, is recovering after part of a falling tree hit her Monday afternoon as she was walking to take her 2-year-old son sledding with his cousin and two friends.

The Boston Globe reported Feb. 15 that, as the tree fell, striking her head, she shielded the toddler, who was unhurt.

The newspaper reported that, earlier in the day, her son had expressed fear of the wind, and his mom called it singing. Read the full story here >>

 Arlington Police and Fire Departments responded after the tree downed power lines. About 3:08 p.m., Arlington police were notified about a tree limb that had fallen in the area of Bellevue Road and Morton Road, between Menotomy Rocks and Rt. 2. First-arriving units found that a massive bough from a fork-shaped tree had fallen, causing a utility pole and a power transformer to fall.

One vehicle was also damaged in the fall, and electrical service was cut off to the neighborhood. Eversource responded to make repairs.

Photos series: Snow scenes 

Examining the scene, Chief Fred Ryan concluded that it was extremely lucky that the woman and her child were not more seriously injured or killed.

"We are very thankful that this situation did not turn into a tragedy. This resident and her young child were standing amidst live electrical lines, heavy tree branches, a utility pole, and a power transformer, which all fell around her," Ryan said. "We wish her the best for a speedy recovery, but all things considered she was tremendously lucky."

An 11-year-old girl was injured Feb. 13 sledding on the steep hill with her 3-year-old brother, lost control on an inflatable tube and hit a fence at the eastern edge of Robbins Farm Park. Police told The Globe the girl's injuries were not life-threatening.

Arlington public schools closed Monday, Feb. 13, because of the latest in a series of storms. Arlington Catholic schools were also closed. 

MEMA reported 68 in town were without power in town after a heavy snow and wind helped topple a tree and a transformer about 4 p.m. Feb. 13.

As of 4 a.m. Feb. 13, 10 inches had fallen in Arlngton, according to the National Weather Service.

The town snow emergency/parking ban was lifted at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 13. It had been in effect since 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, for side roads and 8 p.m. for Mass. Ave., Broadway and Medford Street.

Power was reported lost in the Heights after a telephone snapped on Park Avenue at Appleton Street about 2 p.m. Sunday, police said. The MEMA power-outage map indicated at 4:45 p.m. that 680 customers in Arlington were affected. The latest Eversource estimate about the return of power is 6:30 p.m.

Because of the storm, there is no trash and recycling collection Feb. 13. Collection for all routes will be on a holiday schedule of one-day delay for the week.

Arlington Catholic schools were closed a second day Friday, Feb. 10, because of a major snowstorm, more snow fell Feb. 11, and more is falling Feb. 12 and 13 in a one-two punch. Read BostonGlobe.com >>

The National Weather Service reported that a spotter in Arlington said 11.5 inches had fallen by 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9. By Saturday, 3.5 more inches had fallen. Cambridge received 14.8 inches. Amounts of up to 18 inches were reported in western Massachusetts and Connecticut.

The Minuteman Bikeway, plowed by the town DPW, on Thursday afternoon between Lake Street and Spy Pond Park. / Dan Jalkut photo

Parking for clearance: Public safety officials ask you to be cognizant of where you park your car at all times. Even when a parking ban is lifted, cars are not to obstruct roadways in accordance to Traffic Rules and Orders, Article V Parking, Section 1 (e), which prohibits the parking of a vehicle “upon any roadway where the parking of a vehicle will not leave a clear and unobstructed lane at least ten (10) feet wide for passing traffic.” Parked cars violating this rule will be subject to ticketing and towing.

Snow-removal update: Public Works continues snow removal operations over the next few days to clear sidewalks around schools and town properties, plus opening crosswalks and major pedestrian areas. Officials remind residents to exercise caution on the roadway as high snow accumulations can block pedestrian view.

Secure trash and recycling at curb: High winds are expected. Trash and recycling containers should be on the curb and secured in a manner to prevent them from going into the roadway. As previously mentioned, there will be no trash collection on Feb. 13. Trash will be delayed one-day delay for the rest of the week.

Storm cleanup: The Town would also like to remind residents as they clear public sidewalks and driveways not to move snow into the roadways in accordance with Town bylaws. If you live on a corner, clear a path from the sidewalk to the street. If not precisely on the corner, as close to the corner as you can get. Other ways to help with clean-up efforts include shoveling out fire hydrants by your property or that of a neighbor and clearing any catch basins near your property.

On Feb. 13 Town Hall offices and libraries open at noon.

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.

After a storm it is equally important for all residents and businesses to keep public walkways, fire hydrants, and catch basins clear.

For additional snow policies, safety tips, and updates, 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.

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.

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, visit arlingtonma.gov/snow.

This announcement was published 5:10 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, updated numerous times Feb. 13 and once Feb. 15.