UPDATED: Montclair State Of Emergency Lifted, Town Issues Snow Removal Warnings

Montclair, NJ – As North Jersey digs out from the first snowstorm of 2016, Montclair township officials lifted the state of emergency that was declared on Friday night.

However, the Montclair OEM is warning residents to remove snow properly or face fines.

“Residents, property owners and businesses are reminded to clear snow and ice from all sidewalks that adjoin your property, per Township Ordinance 297-31,” the Montclair OEM stated on Sunday afternoon. “This includes clearing access ramps from the sidewalks to the roads.”

“Please do not re-deposit snow into the roads by snow blowing and shoveling snow from walkways, driveways and sidewalks into the streets, plowing driveways into the streets, cleaning snow off of vehicles into the street and leaving vehicles parked in the streets during the storm,” officials added. “Not only do these activities hinder snow clearance, depositing snow into roadways is illegal per township ordinance 297-32.”

The Montclair OEM reminded local motorists of the following:

• Remove all ice and snow from your vehicle before driving, especially from the hood, windows and roof. It’s the law in New Jersey! Motorists who fail to do so face fines of $25 to $75 for each offense, regardless of whether the ice and snow is dislodged from the vehicle.
• Do not park your car on snow drifts or mounds.
• Do not park your car too close to corners.

In addition, the Montclair Police Department may post ”no parking” signs if the roads are considered to be too narrow to allow emergency vehicles passage.

“Please remember to check on your neighbors, especially the elderly and disabled,” officials added.

Prior to the storm, township officials released the following statements about local storm preparations.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Crews have brined the streets and plows and salt trucks are ready for operation once the storm hits our area. Plowing is prioritized as follows:

1. The first priority for municipal crews, during and after a snowfall, is to clear the major arterial streets and bus routes, and to provide access to emergency services such as police, fire, ambulance and hospital areas, and to clear school areas and steep roadways.
2. The second priority is to clear secondary collector streets.
3. Once conditions have stabilized on first and second priority routes, crews begin clearing other local streets. Streets that are not major or collector routes are not plowed immediately during a snow event. In the event of continual snowfall, it may take longer than usual for plows to reach some streets as first- and second-priority streets will require additional attention.

SNOW CLEARING - RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES

• Residents, property owners and businesses are reminded to clear snow and ice from all sidewalks that adjoin your property, per Township Ordinance 297-31.
• Please do not to re-deposit snow into the roads by snow blowing and shoveling snow from walkways, driveways and sidewalks into the streets, plowing driveways into the streets, cleaning snow off of vehicles into the street and leaving vehicles parked in the streets during the storm. Not only do these activities hinder snow clearance, depositing snow into roadways is illegal per township ordinance 297-32.

PARKING

• When the Montclair Office of Emergency Management declares a state of emergency NO VEHICLES WILL BE AUTHORIZED TO PARK ON ANY STREET IN MONTCLAIR. This includes on-street night permit holders and vehicles with handicapped plates or placards -- there will be no exceptions to this restriction.
• On-street night permit holders may park their vehicles in any municipal lot or deck free of charge. Decks and lots will be open to permit-holders for snow-emergency parking beginning Friday, 10:00 p.m. until 12 hours after the snow has stopped. Cars parked in lots or decks beyond this time will be charged.
• One-time use/daily scratch-off permits are prohibited during a snow emergency.
• Any vehicles remaining on the roadways will be ticketed and towed to facilitate proper snow removal and ensure that emergency vehicles are able to get through.

POWER OUTAGES

If you experience a power outage, please notify PSEG directly by calling 800-436-PSEG (7734). Or visit the PSEG website at www.pseg.com/home/customer_service/outage_info/index.jsp. PSEG needs your account number to track outages and locations that require power restoration.

• See related article: Montclair School District Cancels Weekend Activities Due To Possible Snowstorm
• See related article: Montclair Animal Shelter Issues Winter Pet Care Advisory

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