City Provides Key Updates On Plowing, Snow Removal In Norwalk

NORWALK, CT — While much of the work plowing roads and clearing snow from certain areas of the city took place Sunday and Monday, city officials confirmed to Patch crews were still working Tuesday to clear snow from sidewalks near school properties.

In an email to Patch, Director of Communications Jenn McMurrer said operations crews for the city's Department of Public Works began clearing snow in Norwalk early Sunday morning and worked continuously throughout the day and evening.

"During the storm, all secondary roads were treated while plow trucks remained on main roads to maintain access and safety," McMurrer said. "Overnight, most drivers were rotated out to rest, with a limited number of crews continuing to monitor and treat primary routes."

According to McMurrer, all 41 drivers were back on the road by mid-morning Monday to conduct a full city-wide cleanup, including all public streets, schools and public parking lots.

Norwalk Recreation and Parks staff were also deployed Monday morning to begin clearing sidewalks around school properties, McMurrer said.

Operations were paused Monday night after all roads and public lots were cleared, however a small overnight crew remained available to respond to any emergency conditions or potential snow squalls, according to McMurrer.

"On Tuesday morning, crews returned to focus primarily on sidewalk clearing near school properties," McMurrer said. "This work will continue over the next few days as conditions allow."

According to McMurrer, the city asks residents to assist with cleanup efforts by clearing sidewalks adjacent to their properties, refraining from pushing or throwing snow back into roadways and waiting until streets are fully plowed before clearing driveways and sidewalks.

The city also asks residents eligible for solid waste collection to place bins at the end of their driveways, not behind snowbanks or in the roadway, McMurrer said.

"The city would like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation throughout this extended snow operation," Mayor Barbara Smyth said in a statement sent to Patch, "as well as recognize the dedication and professionalism of DPW, Recreation and Parks and supporting staff who worked long hours to keep Norwalk safe and accessible."

As the state continues to dig out from this past weekend's snowstorm, meteorologists say another one may impact Connecticut this coming weekend, however meteorologists have also noted it is still early and that forecast could change before Sunday.

According to McMurrer, if another storm impacts Norwalk this weekend, residents are strongly encouraged to:

• Remove vehicles from the street during snow events; they city will make sure to let residents know which garages are open if needed.
• Avoid placing snow in roadways as this significantly slows plowing operations and creates unsafe conditions.
• Do not park cars overnight in public lots such as libraries, schools and City Hall.
• Assist the Norwalk Fire Department by clearing the area around any fire hydrants on a resident's property.

More information about this weekend's early forecast is available here.