| Sanding and Plowing Operations | Sidewalk Clearing | City Ordinances regarding Snow Removal | Parking Regulations | Snow Emergencies | Snow Removal from Village Centers | Catch Basins & Hydrants | Trash & Recycling | Hints for Coping with Winter Storms | A Plea from Public Works
The Newton Department of Public Works is responsible for sanding and plowing more than 300 miles of streets, 15 municipal parking lots and approximately 60 miles of sidewalk. Main arteries, collector streets, hills and bridges receive priority-attention due to traffic volume, and/or potential safety hazards.
The streets in Newton have been divided into 94 plow routes. During snowstorms, the streets on each route are plowed in sequence and made passable as quickly as possible. When the Storm abates, the plow operators 'widen out' all streets by pushing the accumulated snow back to the curb line and clearing the intersections. In general, it is the goal of the Department to have all streets fully cleared within eight hours after an average storm has ceased.
Property owners are requested to ensure that snow is not plowed from their driveways into a City street, in violation of City ordinances.
Whenever there is a snow storm of 4" or greater, the City of Newton will plow approximately 60 miles of sidewalk on major roadways with heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Residents are strongly encouraged to shovel the walks adjacent to their property to ensure safe pedestrian passage. The best way to encourage neighbors to shovel their walks is to set an example by shoveling one's own.
Sec. 26-8 Removal of snow and ice from sidewalks in certain districts Owners and occupants of buildings abutting sidewalks in business districts must remove snow or ice from such sidewalks.
Sec. 26-9 Putting snow and ice upon streets, sidewalks and bridges No persons shall place or permit or cause to be placed snow or ice upon any street, sidewalk or bridge, except that snow or ice removed from a sidewalk may be piled up on the adjoining gutter.
Sec. 26-15 Obstructing free passage on sidewalks No person shall willfully or negligently obstruct the passage of pedestrians.
Sec. 26-16 Vehicles on sidewalks, etc. No person shall park upon or in any way obstruct a sidewalk so as to impeded snow clearance or pedestrian passage.
Overnight Parking Restrictions
The Board of Aldermen would like to remind residents that the winter
overnight parking restrictions were amended this year. The restrictions
will begin two weeks later, and end two weeks earlier, than last year.
From November 15 through April 15 it will be unlawful for any vehicle, other than one acting in an emergency, to be parked on any street, way, highway, road, parkway or private way dedicated or open to the use of the public for a period of time longer than one hour between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
During winter storms, the Chief of Police may declare a 'snow emergency" during which time parking is banned on all City streets. Drivers who violate the 'snow emergency" by parking on City streets, so as to impede snow clearance during or immediately after a storm, will be ticketed and towed. Please listen to radio and/or television announcements to learn when a snow emergency is declared and when it is lifted. The parking prohibition is only in effect during the declared snow emergency.
At times, it may be necessary to remove snow from the village centers and municipal parking lots. Snow is not regularly removed from these areas, but only when the accumulation of snow or temperature forecasts warrant it for the safety of pedestrians and motorists. When snow removal is scheduled or in progress, temporary "Snow Removal" or "Emergency - No Parking" signs will be posted.
CATCH BASINS AND FIRE HYDRANTS
There are approximately 13,000 catchbasins and more than 2000 fire hydrants in Newton. Residents can help avoid potential problems by clearing catchbasins so that melting snow can run off, and by shoveling out nearby fire hydrants for public safety.
TRASH AND RECYCLING
The collection of trash and recyclables will continue during a storm.
HINTS FOR COPING WITH WINTER STORMS
Whenever possible, it is best to pile snow to the right of the driveway (as you face the street) to reduce the potential of having it re-deposited at the driveway opening when the plow passes.
When plowing or shoveling out driveways, wherever possible snow should be kept on the owner's property. It should not be plowed onto the street, or across the street onto a neighbor's sidewalk.
To avoid having to do the job twice, shovel the sidewalk after the storm has passed and the street has been cleared.
Older residents and persons with cardiovascular problems should consult a physician before shoveling snow.
Whether it is your driveway or the sidewalk for which you are responsible, or the more than 300 miles of roadway that the DPW is responsible for, snow clearance is an arduous and time consuming job. Please be patient. All streets will be cleared and all problems will be responded to as expeditiously as possible.
Please understand that the City is not able to shovel wind rows from your driveway which may be left by a snow plow, nor may a City vehicle plow private property.
