News

SNOW and COLD 101

by . .
Thursday Feb 9, 2017

What to Do With Your Car When it Snows

Space Savers

Space Savers are not allowed in the South End.

Search your neighborhood to see where not to park and find discounted parking garages in your area.

During a Snow Emergency

It's important for us to keep main roads clear for plows and emergency vehicles during extreme weather. You will be ticketed and towed if you park on a posted snow emergency artery during a declared snow emergency.

Discount parking is available in garages with a valid resident parking sticker. Discounted parking starts two hours prior to the start of the snow emergency and ends two hours after.

http://www.cityofboston.gov/snow/parking/

When There's Snow on the Streets

Help us keep streets open to plows and emergency vehicles by parking at least 20 feet away from intersections and no further than 1 foot from the curb. Don't block sidewalks, fire hydrants, ramps, driveways or the street with your vehicle.

For your safety, make sure to clear all snow at least one foot around your muffler before starting your engine. Blocked mufflers can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

What to Do With Your Trash

Trash and recycling collection is canceled only in the most extreme storms. Crews may work later than usual, so leave items out unless collection is canceled. If it's canceled, please hold onto your trash and recycling until your next scheduled pickup.

Where to Place your Trash and Recycling

Crews have a difficult time reaching trash barrels and recycling carts behind snow banks. Please clear an area at the curb, or place containers next to or in front of snow banks.

By making it easier to reach containers, workers can collect more quickly and safely

Plowing Snow

During a snow storm, the Public Works Department de-ices and plows 850 miles of roadway with over 500 pieces of equipment. In the 2014-15 season, the City plowed 295,000 miles of streets - roughly 12 trips around the earth - for 110.6 total inches of snow. State agencies like DCR and MassDot clear state-owned such as Storrow Drive.

How Public Works Plans a Snow Response

The Public Works Department plows streets citywide during snow storms by prepping, plowing, cleaning the roads. The department strategically dispatches City and contract equipment across 200 plowing routes as needed. At full deployment, Public Works utilizes over 500 pieces of equipment. Small public alleys, side streets and dead ends will be fully cleared by the completion of all snow removal efforts.

In clearing roadways, plowing snow across driveways is unavoidable. When shoveling your driveway or parked car, please consider that crews make frequent passes until roads are adequately cleared.

Snow Removal

It's the responsibility of the property owner to remove snow, slush and ice from sidewalks and curb ramps abutting their property. Violators will be fined each day the sidewalk is not shoveled.

When you shovel, make sure to:

  • Clear sidewalks within three hours of snowfall ending or three hours after sunrise if it snows overnight.

  • Remove ice to bare pavement or make as level as possible.

  • Clear at least a 42 inch wide path for wheelchairs and strollers.

  • Don't shovel or plow snow into the street: Violators caught shoveling snow from private property into the street will be fined.

    Fines

    Each day that a violation exists is considered a separate and distinct violation.

    Shoveling Safety Tips

    Don't overexert yourself when you shovel. Cold weather can exacerbate underlying respiratory illness, and overexertion can bring on a heart attack - a major cause of death in the winter. Avoid shoveling if you are elderly or have a heart condition.

    Shoveling Snow off of your Roof

    Consider hiring a professional to remove snow and icicles from your roof. The combination of heights plus ice makes can make this important task a dangerous one. Unless approved by a registered professional engineer, don't add your weight or the weight of equipment to the roof.

    Cold Weather Information

    The City of Boston reminds residents to take action in anticipation of severely cold weather. Please check on the well-being of elderly or disabled neighbors and practice caution when using portable heating devices such as space heaters.

    People in Need

    If you see people out in the cold or snow when the weather is dangerous, please call 911.

    If you have an emergency situation, please dial 911 directly.

    Safety Tips

    The City's various emergency management organizations, including EMS, Fire, Police, BPHC, MOEM, ISD, and BWSC have compiled a list of personal and home safety tips. Please remember to take precautions during extremely cold weather.

    Utilities

    If any areas are without power, residents should call their utility company to report outages. They can also call 311 with concerns or questions.
    NSTAR: 1-800-592-2000
    NSTAR Gas: 1-800-592-2000
    National Grid: 1-800-322-3223
    Boston Water & Sewer Commission: 617-989-7000

    Warming Centers

    All BCYF Community Centers are available, based on required needs, as Warming Centers when the Mayor declares a Winter Weather Emergency.
    NOTE: Because the BCYF Warming Center List is subject to change, please call 311 for updates on which BCYF centers are open during any/all emergencies.

    Important Numbers

    Police/Fire/EMS: 911
    Service Requests: 311
    'No Heat' Hotline: 617-635-4500
    National Weather Service: 508-822-0634
    NSTAR Gas & Electric: 800-592-2000
    National Grid: 800-322-3223
    Boston Water & Sewer Commission: 617-989-7000
    Massachusetts Water Resources Authority: 617-242-6000
    Verizon: 800-837-4966
    Animal Control: 617-635-5348
    Boston Medical Center: 617-638-8000
    City of Boston Tow Lot: 617-635-3900
    Code Enforcement Police: 617-635-4896
    Cold Relief Headline: 800-632-8175
    Consumer Affairs & Licensing: 617-635-3834
    Consumer Complaints: 617-635-3834
    DCR Storm Desk: 617-626-4973
    Elderly Commission: 617-635-4366
    Emergency Shelter Commission: 617-635-4507
    Logan Airport: 800-235-6426
    MBTA: 617-222-3200
    MA Emergency Management Agency (MEMA): 508-820-1428
    MA Road and Traffic Conditions: 617-374-1234
    511 via cellphone
    Mayor's Neighborhood Liaisons: 617-635-3485
    National Weather Service: 508-822-0634
    State Police: 617-740-7600
    Transit Police: 617-222-1212
    Veterans Services: 617-635-3957