Snow/Parking Update

[tomchampion.livejournal.com]

We just sent this out via Connect CTY:

While the city has NOT declared a snow emergency, the DPW is continuing to salt and sand roads and to remove snow at major intersections and city squares. Despite parking scarcity, residents must NOT park within twenty feet of intersections, obstruct the street, block hydrants or handicapped spaces, or violate resident permit parking. Residents and businesses are also reminded that they are REQUIRED to remove snow and ice from their sidewalks and to put down sand to improve traction. If you do not have access to sand, you may receive a free supply by bringing an empty container of five gallons or less to the DPW yard at 1 Franey Road. To further assist residents, the city will continue to provide overnight parking from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. in designated city and school lots through and including Thursday night. Residents currently in legal curbside spaces have until Thursday morning at 8 a.m. to dig out and move their cars before the city resumes ticketing for parking over 48 hours. Thank you for assisting the city in clearing our roadways. If you need additional information, please visit the city’s website or call 311.

Just so LJ folks know, I have since learned that some 48-hour rule tickets may have been issued by the police . This isn't their fault -- they were authorized to do it -- but anyone who has received a 48-hour violation in the past 12 hours should call 311 right away. They should also PLEASE move their vehicles as soon as humanly possible -- we'll start enforcing on Thursday at 8 a.m., but earlier compliance would be very helpful.

PS Thanks to knowledgeable LJers schpahky and mamajoan for clarifying that the city will continue to street-sweep as and where we are able (we do tht all winter), but we won't be ticketing.
Tags: local government, parking, snow emergency


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Comments

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

Question about the sand: Can you only get it during business hours, or can you get it in the evening after you get home from work?

[tomchampion.livejournal.com]

Excellent question. According to the DPW Commish himself, it's right out there in front of the DPW building, next to the yard gate and the basketball courts. You can pick it up any old time.

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

Great news! This means I have the option of sending the hubby rather than lugging it myself.

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

Another sand question: Cambridge says not to use sand because it makes icy sidewalks *more* slippery. Who is right?

[tomchampion.livejournal.com]

Interesting. I've heard the argument that salt makes snow melt and refreeze, making things more slippery - but I've NEVER heard that sand decreases traction. My personal experience as a homeowner is that sand on steps and walkways is helpful. Can you point me to the relevant statement by Cambridge officials?

[ron_newman]

As a pedestrian, I greatly appreciate the use of sand. I have no idea why Cambridge would say that.

Cambridge and Sand

[m-b-w.livejournal.com]

I just searched the Cambridge web site and found "We're All In This Together: A Guide To Snow & Ice Clearance In Cambridge" (http://www.cambridgema.gov/TheWorks/pdffiles/brochures/brch_snow.pdf) It says "Do not use sand. It doesn't help pedestrians; but it makes hard ice more slippery. It gets into street drains and is expensive to clean up in the spring." They recommend ice melter with calcium chloride.

Re: Cambridge and Sand

[ron_newman]

"Gets into street drains" and "expensive to clean up" I can agree with, but the whole purpose of sand is to make ice less smooth, so that your shoes encounter more friction when trying to walk on it. It helps me as a pedestrian.

Re: Cambridge and Sand

[tomchampion.livejournal.com]

Ah, Cambridge -- my home, on and off, for over 30 years. Calcium chloride IS supposed to be much better environmentally than sodium chloride, and I'm sorry that sand clogs their catch basins, but the solution to that is to clean the catch basins more frequently. The bottom line is that Somerville doesn't discourage the use of sand -- we'll even give you some if you can't get it on your own -- and a little grit under your feet can be very, very helpful if you're trying to negotiate an icy sidewalk on icy walks.

But I've learned something new, and I thank you.