New London Issues Parking Ban, Other Information Regarding Storm

NEW LONDON, CT — The City of New London, Public Works, Police, Fire and Emergency Management Departments are preparing for the significant snow storm predicted for Thursday. Those in need of shelter will be directed to area shelters and the city will have a warming center open during business hours at the Senior Center.

Should additional shelters become necessary, the city is prepared to transition the Senior Center into an additional local shelter, according to a release.

Due to the intensity of this predicted storm, city offices will be closed Thursday except for Emergency Operations of Fire, Police, Public Works and employees who are specifically assigned to the warming center/shelter at the Senior Center. The city’s Emergency Operations Center will also be in operation at Fire Headquarters.

Due to the significant amount of snowfall that is forecasted, effective at midnight tonight, the city of New London Winter Parking Restrictions to include a Downtown Parking Ban including the Municipal Parking Lots shall be in effect until such time as snow plows have cleared the roadways.

While the parking restrictions and ban is in effect:

• No parking on any streets in the downtown area between midnight (Thursday, Jan. 3) and as such time 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.
• No parking on narrow streets.
• Where parking is permitted on only one side of the street, follow posted regulations.
• Where parking is permitted on both sides of the street, park on the "odd" side of the street only. New London police will be strictly enforcing these restrictions for safety purposes.

New London Public Works, fire and police experience great difficulties with improper parking each year 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, Eastern Ave at the top of the hill, Terrace Ave and Bragaw St.

Improper parking results 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 each snow event.

The forecast is for moderate snow becoming heavy at times during the Thursday morning rush hour, with moderate snow most of the day with a forecast range of 12 inches to 16 inches of accumulation.

City residents are advised that the Transfer Station will be closed Thursday, and garbage and recycling pick-up will be postponed by one day. As such, Thursdays’ routes will be picked up by Friday and Friday routes will be picked up on Saturday.

The city is requesting that sidewalks be shoveled and cleared in a reasonable time frame after the storm. This is a significant and consistent issue and problem after storms. Failing to shovel greatly impedes our high pedestrian traffic in the city for most people to include the disabled, elderly and children who must walk to school.

Other storm-related suggestions:

• review and refer to the Red Cross website which is also available on the City of New London website
• residents are reminded to stay away from downed wires
• 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
• in deep snow, residents are reminded to clear any basement level vents for furnaces and hot water heaters
• do not run generators inside homes, garages or structures as it will become a severe carbon monoxide threat

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