Somerville's 2016 Winter Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know

SOMERVILLE, MA – As we enter the winter months, the weather becomes a bigger factor in our lives. Between snow, sleet, wintry mixes and freezing temperatures, it's more important than ever to make sure your family is safe in the event of an emergency. Here is some important information you should know about winter in Somerville.

Parking

This year, because the season begins in November 2016, an even number, parking will be allowed on the even side of the street during snow emergencies.

The alternating pattern will continue with each new winter season going forward.

Signs will be posted for streets designated as exceptions; for example, roads that have parking only on the odd-numbered side of the street year-round will also park on the odd side during snow emergencies.

Once a snow emergency is declared, residents must comply with the following:

• Residents have four hours to move vehicles to the correct side of the street, or into a designated City parking lot.

• Vehicles not moved during this window of time will be ticketed ($100 fine) and towed ($100 fine assessed by the tow company).

• Vehicles parked within 20 feet of any intersection will be ticketed and towed.

• For a list of designated City and School parking lots available for snow emergency parking, visit www.somervillema.gov/snow.

• Residents are encouraged to sign up for phone, email, and text alerts by visiting www.somervillema.gov/alerts.

Snow Removal

According to the City of Somerville website:

What to Clear: Owners of any home and/or building abutting a public way are responsible for ensuring that the sidewalk and accessible ramps in front of their property, and extending to the corner if on a corner lot, are clear of ice and snow, in accordance with Section 12-8 of the City Code of Ordinances. For properties abutting sidewalks with curb cuts, ramps, or other access points, property owners are responsible for shoveling proper pathways for access.

How to Clear Sidewalks: Per state ADA requirements and City ordinance, sidewalks must be shoveled to a minimum of 42 inches wide to allow wheelchair passage.

When to Clear Sidewalks: The time frame in which residents/property owners have to shovel before getting a ticket has changed. The new policy is that sidewalks must be cleared within 6 daylight hours after snow stops falling.

Enforcement/Ticketing: Failure to comply with this ordinance will result in fines in accordance with Section 1-11, as noted below:

• 1st offense: $50.00
• 2nd offense: $100.00
• 3rd offense: $200.00

Enforcement/Clean and Lien: If sidewalks abutting private property remain uncleared after 24 daylight hours from the end of the snow emergency (or snowfall if no emergency was declared), the City will make every effort to dispatch crews or contractors to the address for snow and ice removal. This work shall be carried out in accordance with the priorities listed under “Plowing Procedures.” In order for the City to recover its costs for the clearance of such snow and ice from public sidewalks abutting private properties, additional fines will be assessed and charged via a lien placed on the property in question.

Reporting Uncleared Sidewalks: City Inspectors regularly patrol the city following each snow event, tracking properties that do not comply with City Ordinances for snow and ice removal. These properties are documented within City databases, and violations are issued. Clean-and-lien activities will also ensue according to the procedures noted above. Tip: However, if you notice any sidewalk, public access route, ramp, etc. that has not been cleared of snow and ice up to the minimum width of 42 inches, please contact 311 by calling 3-1-1, emailing 311Updates@somervillema.gov, or reporting issues via Facebook (www.facebook.com/311Somerville) or Twitter (@311Somerville, @SomervilleCity). The City of Somerville maintains work orders and requests for these issues to help to track problem areas.

Do Not Shovel Snow or Ice Into the Street, Unless...: Per Section 12-9 of the City Code of Ordinances, Residents/property owners may not shovel snow or ice into public streets unless all of the following conditions are met:

• The mean temperature for that day is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit (snow should be soft),
• It is during daylight hours,
• Snow or ice is broken up and spread evenly.

>>>Click here for information about snow removal assistance.

Important Numbers:

Somerville Police Department: Main Line: (617) 625-1600

Somerville Fire Department: (617) 623-1700

Somerville Public Works: (617) 666-3311

National Grid Outage Line: 1-800-465-1212. You can also report an outage here.

In an emergency dial 911.

Important Information

• 18 Tips to Prepare For Thursday's Subzero Windchills
• Tips to Deal With - and Prevent - Frozen Pipes
• How to Keep Your Pets Safe in Freezing Cold Winter Weather
• 11 Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips
• Subscribe to the Somerville Patch Newsletter

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