Marblehead Allows Overnight Parking, Except For Snow Emergencies

MARBLEHEAD, MA — After the relative success of last year's snow emergency plan, Marblehead residents will once again be able to park overnight on streets this winter as long as they move their vehicles when weather warrants.

The policy was put in place for a one-year trial following the 2020 town meeting. The Board of Selectmen voted to extend it for another year last week.

Declared snow emergencies will start at midnight on the day of an anticipated snowstorm. Parking will be allowed the next morning beginning at 7 a.m. unless conditions do not allow it. For each day of the snow emergency, on-street parking will be prohibited from midnight to 7 a.m.

"Many factors will be considered before the town declares a snow emergency including air and road temperatures, weather forecasts and snow accumulation," the town said. "The town will declare a snow emergency when snowfall accumulation is forecasted to be 2 inches or over but other factors could contribute to the declaration of a snow emergency even if snow accumulation is expected to be less than 2 inches."

As much notice as possible will be given prior to the declaration of a snow emergency.

Any vehicles parked on the street during the parking ban will be subject to ticketing and towing. Ticketing and towing will be done in an order of priority.

Vehicles will be towed to the transfer station.

Snow emergencies will be declared through the town website, the CodeRED automated call system, town social media accounts, Marblehead TV and local media outlets.

The Marblehead police chief, fire chief, town administrator and head of the Department of Public Works can revoke the trial period if it is determined it is "negatively impacting public health and safety."

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)