‘Snow Emergency’ Declared in West Haven, Parking Ban Announced: Here’s What To Know

From City of West Haven

WEST HAVEN, CT — Mayor Dorinda Borer has declared a “snow emergency” banning all on-street parking in West Haven from noon Sunday until further notice.

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning and a winter storm warning for West Haven. Heavy, wet snow accumulations of 12-18 inches are expected from Sunday afternoon through Monday morning.

Strong wind gusts of 30-50 mph have also been forecast by the weather service, which could cause scattered power outages. In addition, minor coastal flooding is possible due to a higher-than-normal high tide.

Crews from the Department of Public Works are on standby for snowplowing operations.

Vehicles violating the mandatory parking ban will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense. Violators are subject to a $100 fine, per the “Severe Weather” parking ordinance under Chapter 188 of the West Haven Code.

For information on the recovery of a towed vehicle, call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 203-937-3900.

Emergency Management Director Rick Fontana said residents are urged to move all vehicles off city streets as soon as possible. Vehicles can be parked in driveways, on lawns or in municipal lots, including school and beach lots, Fontana said.

The following public lots are available for off-street parking:

• West Haven High School, 1 McDonough Plaza
• Bailey Middle School, 106 Morgan Lane
• Carrigan Intermediate School, 2 Tetlow St.
• Forest Elementary School, 95 Burwell Road
• Haley Elementary School, 146 South St.
• Mackrille Elementary School, 806 Jones Hill Road
• Pagels School, 26 Benham Hill Road
• Savin Rock Community School, 50 Park St.
• Washington Elementary School, 369 Washington Ave.
• Engineering & Science University Magnet School, 500 Boston Post Road
• Notre Dame High School, 1 Notre Dame Way
• St. Lawrence School, 231 Main St.
• South Street Beach
• Dawson Avenue Beach
• Sea Bluff Beach
• Bradley Point Beach
• Oak Street Beach
• Altschuler Plaza Beach
• Sandy Point Beach
• Campbell Avenue and Captain Thomas Boulevard, next to Biagetti’s Restaurant, 77 Campbell Ave., and Scoreboards Cafe, 100 Campbell Ave.
• Campbell Avenue, across from Duffy’s Tavern, 241 Campbell Ave.
• Curtiss Place, behind 473 Campbell Ave.
• Campbell Avenue, behind 519 Campbell Ave.
• City Hall, 355 Main St.
• Johnson Community Center, 201 Noble St.
• First Avenue commuter lot
• Former St. Paul Church, 898 First Ave.
• Quigley Stadium, 362 Front Ave.
• Sawmill Road commuter lot, across from Econo Lodge, 370 Highland St.

Vehicles parked in school lots and all other municipal lots must be removed by a deadline to be determined so crews can plow the lots. Any vehicles left there will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense.

West Haven public schools are closed on Monday, and Monday night’s City Council meeting is canceled.

City Hall will operate on a delayed opening. Check the city website for closing information.

The West Haven Senior Center’s programming and shuttle service are suspended on Monday.

Trash and recycling pickups are suspended on Monday and will operate one day behind schedule for the rest of the week. For example, Monday’s trash and recyclables will be picked up on Tuesday, Tuesday’s trash and recyclables will be picked up on Wednesday, and so on.

The city’s overnight warming center at 689 Campbell Ave. remains operational.

Anyone who must travel should keep an extra flashlight, food and water in their vehicle in case of an emergency.

Anyone who loses power during the storm is urged to shelter in place.

Do not touch or approach downed wires or trees. Notify the Highway Department of downed trees or wires by calling 203-937-3644.

Food establishments are urged to have a food storage plan in place if they lose power.

To prevent accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, make sure generators are operated outside, not in garages. Also, make sure outside home heating vents and vehicle exhaust pipes are kept clear.

Kerosene heaters are prohibited, per city ordinance.

Residents and businesses are reminded to shovel their sidewalks within 24 hours after the storm or face a $25 fine “for each day that the violation persists.”

According to the “Removal of Snow and Ice” ordinance under Chapter 195 of the West Haven Code, people are given 24 hours to remove snow from sidewalks on and bordering their properties. Violators are subject to the $25-per-day fine, per the ordinance.

Plowing or blowing snow into city streets is prohibited, and violators are subject to a $60 fine for each offense, according to the ordinance.

Snow removal around mailboxes is the property owner’s responsibility.

Residents are also urged to help firefighters keep hydrants clear of snow.

The West Haven Emergency Operations Center will continue to monitor the weather and provide updates as needed on the city website at https://www.cityofwesthaven.com/ and the West Haven City Hall Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CityofWestHaven.

For all emergencies, call 911.

For all storm-related issues, call the EOC at 203-937-3630.