City Issues Important Information to New London Residents in Preperation of Snow

NEW LONDON, CT - The City of New London, Public Works, Police, Fire and Emergency Management Departments are closely monitoring and preparing for the snow/storm event for Tuesday and the severe cold weather that is predicted.

City officials said the Homeless Hospitality Center is at capacity and those without shelter will be directed to the Covenant Shelter. The city's warming center at the Senior Citizen’s Center will be open and available.

Due to the prediction of intense weather conditions, the City of New London’s Offices and Departments will be closed Tuesday. Personnel working will be concentrated on public safety, snow removal and emergency response.

Effective at 9 p.m. tonight, the city Winter Parking Restrictions will be in place around the city and a complete downtown parking ban will be in place tomorrow morning at 1 a.m. The Downtown Parking Ban will be in effect until such time as the snow plows have ended plowing operations.

While the parking restrictions and parking ban are in effect:

• no parking on any streets in the Downtown Area between 1 a.m. (Tuesday, March 14, 2017) until such time as the “Parking Ban” has been lifted; residents and visitors may park in the Water Street Parking Garage for free during the time of the parking ban (they may park there for free as of this notification and will have 24 hours to move car after the storm)
• no parking on narrow streets
• where parking is permitted on only one side of the street, follow posed regulations
• where parking is permitted on both sides of the street, park on the even side of the street only

During the past storms, public works, fire and police had great difficulties with the improper parking on the following streets: Michael Rd, Anthony Rd, Boulder Drive, Buchanan Rd, Rogers St, Connecticut Ave, Belden St, Ledyard St, Mountain Ave, Cape Ann Court and Eastern Ave at the top of the hill.

Improper parking resulted in slower emergency response times and inadequate snow clearing in these areas. Police will be vigilant and will be issuing tickets and towing improperly parked vehicles during this snow event.

City residents are advised that the Transfer Station will be closed Tuesday and garbage and recycling pick-up will be postponed by one day. For example, Tuesday’s routes will be picked up Wednesday.

The city is requesting that sidewalks be shoveled and cleared in a reasonable time frame after the storm. This has been a significant issue and problem this year and greatly impairs pedestrian traffic in the city for most people, including the disabled, elderly and children who must walk to school.

Elderly or disabled residents that require assistance digging out after the storm, can contact the Pedestrian Advisory Committee at 860-333-8750 or email pedestrian.nl@gmail.com.

Other storm related suggestions are:

• review and refer to the Red Cross website, which is also available on the City of New London’s website
• residents are reminded to stay away from downed wires
• do not run generators inside homes and garages, as it will become a severe carbon monoxide threat
• remember to bring pets inside
• all coastal areas should pay close attention to flood warnings
• remember to shovel and clear your sidewalks after the storm
• residents are reminded to clear any basement level vents for furnaces and hot water heaters in deep snow

Patch file photo.