Tuesday, Afternoon Feb. 24, 2026-Update #2

(Photo: Plows ready to go back out last night.)

DPW crews continue to clean up after the storm, with the focus on sidewalks along routes to school, crosswalks, crossing guard locations, and hauling snow from schools and village centers as we get ready to get back to our normal schedules tomorrow.

City Hall, the Newton Free Library, the Cooper Center, and all other city buildings will be open on their regular schedules tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 25.

• The Snow Emergency Parking Ban for on-street parking will be lifted this evening at 5 p.m.

• Events scheduled for this evening at various Newton Public Schools will proceed as scheduled.

More on the Trash Collection Two-Day Delay

Trash and recycling collection is now on a two-day delayed schedule beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 25.

The two-day delay means Monday through Thursday routes will be collected on Wednesday through Saturday of this week.

The Friday route is cancelled this week. People living on the Friday route can put their trash out next Friday, March 6, in barrels or plastic trash bags. There is no need to purchase plastic orange overflow trash bags.

Recycling that does not fit in your green bin can be placed in paper bags for collection on Friday, March 6.

Before making the decision to cancel the Friday route this week we explored several other options. None of them were great.

The primary constraints we had to keep in mind were:

1. Our contractor does not have extra staff or extra trucks to send to Newton in order to do two routes, or even one and a half routes, in Newton on a single day.
2. Federal Department of Transportation rules limit professional drivers to no more than 60 hours within a 7-day period.

For example, those limitations prevented us from being able to simply pick up the Friday route on Monday, with a one-day delay for everyone else next week.

We’ve prepared answers to frequently asked questions about the trash pickup delay. Read them here.

I know this is an inconvenience for residents along the Friday route and thank you for your understanding.

Storm Related Reminders:

• The Snow Emergency Parking Ban will be lifted tonight at 5 p.m.

• The 24-hour post-snow sidewalk clearing deadline is extended to noon on Wednesday, Feb. 25 to give us all more time to get the sidewalks in front of our homes cleared. The 12-hour deadline for property owners in business and commercial districts and residential buildings with four or more units was not extended. Their sidewalks should already be cleared.

• DPW is continuing to respond to all 311 storm requests through the 311 app, online at newtonma.gov
  or by calling 617-796 -1000.

This has been quite the storm. Thank you to everyone for your patience, and a special thanks to our Newton DPW, Parks and Recreation, Police and Fire Departments.

Mayor Marc C. Laredo

Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026

(Photo: City Hall in theTuesday morning sunshine.)

The Clean-Up Continues

We have some storm updates as our DPW crews and contractors continue to clear streets, sidewalks, crosswalks, intersections, and parking lots:

• The Snow Emergency Parking Ban for on-street parking will be lifted this evening at 5 p.m.

• Events scheduled for this evening at various Newton Public Schools will proceed as scheduled.

More on the Trash Collection Two-Day Delay

Trash and recycling is delayed again today, for a second day this week. Collection is now on a two-day delayed schedule beginning Wednesday, Feb. 25.

The two-day delay means Monday through Thursday routes will be collected on Wednesday through Saturday (Monday on Wednesday, Tuesday on Thursday, Wednesday on Friday and Thursday on Saturday).

The Friday route will be cancelled this week. People living on the Friday route can put their trash out next Friday, March 6, in white, brown or any other plastic trash bags or in barrels. If possible, please put this extra trash on Friday morning rather than leaving it out overnight. There is no need to purchase orange overflow bags.

When Waste Management made the difficult decision yesterday afternoon to cancel today’s pick-up, there were no simple solutions to the two-day delay in trash pickup. Each option had its drawbacks. We made the choice that we thought would have the least impact on the fewest residents.

We can't have a two-day delay for Friday’s route because federal Department of Transportation regulations do not allow for our service provider, Waste Management, to operate on Sunday and then resume regular collections on Monday.

I understand this option is significantly inconvenient for residents on the Friday route and, again, I apologize.

Storm Related Reminders:

• The 24-hour post-snow sidewalk clearing deadline is extended to noon on Wednesday, Feb. 25 to give us all more time to get the sidewalks in front of our homes cleared. (Property owners in business and commercial districts and residential buildings with four or more units must still have the sidewalk in front of their property clearedwithin12 hours of the end of the storm).

• DPW is continuing to respond to all 311 storm requests through the 311 app, online at newtonma.gov or by calling 617-796 -1000.

• Firefighters will be out today shoveling out hydrants. Please help out if you’re able by shoveling out a fire hydrant near your home and digging out storm drains.

• Check the Electronic Posting board on the City's website here to check on the status of public meetings scheduled for Tuesday night.

We will continue to send email updates with storm-related Information as needed, and will post the latest information on our website at newtonma.gov.

Mayor Marc C. Laredo

 Monday Evening, Feb. 23, 2026

Due to the severity of current and forecasted conditions, we have several updates:

• Superintendent Anna Nolin announced that the Newton Public Schools will be closed tomorrow. As always, check the Newton Public Schools website at newton.k12.ma.us for information on schools and after-school activities.

• City Hall will remain closed tomorrow. City employees have much practice working remotely and our departments will be “open” for business while the buildings are closed.

• The Newton Free Library, Cooper Center and the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds will be closed tomorrow.

• Trash collection is now on a two-day delay (more information below).The Resource Recovery Center at Rumford Ave will be closed tomorrow.

• The Snow Emergency Parking Ban for on-street parking remains in effect until further notice. We will monitor storm clean-up operations through the night and make a determination early tomorrow as to when the on-street parking ban will be lifted and send out an email communication and post the information at newtonma.gov by mid-morning.

• The City's municipal parking lots will open tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 6 a.m.

• The 24-hour post-snow sidewalk clearing deadline is extended to noon on Wednesday, Feb. 25 to give us all more time to get the sidewalks in front of our homes cleared. Property owners in business and commercial districts and residential buildings with four or more units must still have the sidewalk in front of their property cleared within12 hours of the end of the storm.

Trash Collection This Week on a Two-Day Delay

Trash and recycling will be delayed for a second day. Collection is now on a two-day delayed schedule beginning Wednesday, Feb. 25.

The two-day delay means Monday through Thursday routes will be collected on Wednesday through Saturday (Monday on Wednesday, Tuesday on Thursday, Wednesday on Friday, and Thursday on Saturday).

The Friday route will be delayed by a full week and will now be collected on Friday, March 6.

We know this is a significant inconvenience for people on the Friday route. We can't have a two-day delay for Friday’s route because federal Department of Transportation regulations do not allow waste service providers to operate on Sunday and then resume regular collections on Monday.

Important Snow Reminders

• DPW is continuing to respond to all 311 storm requests through the 311 app, online at www.newtonma.gov or by calling 617-796 -1000.

• Please help out if you are able by shoveling out a fire hydrant near your home and/or digging out storm drains.

• Make sure to clear exhaust vents from direct vent gas furnace systems to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and check to make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are working as it is a silent, odorless killer.

• If you see a downed power line or pole, please report it to Eversource at 800-592-2000 and stay away from the hazard until officials make the area safe for everyone.

• If you lose power, please call Eversource at 1-800-592-2000 or online here.

• Check the Electronic Posting board on the City's website here to check on the status of public meetings scheduled for Tuesday night.

Let’s Help Our Neighbors

This has been quite the storm.

As you can see from the photo my neighbor took of me earlier today, like many of us, I'm just starting to dig out. It’s not going to be easy.

Let’s lend a hand to a neighbor who may need an assist if we can and look out for each other.

We're hearty New Englanders. We've got this.

Mayor Marc C. Laredo

(Photo: Blizzard conditions in Newton Monday February 23.)

Heavy snow is still falling with around another six inches expected to accumulate before it tapers off later today.

There are downed tree limbs and trees which have caused power outages for about 1,000 residences. We are working with Eversource to get power back on as quickly as possible.

If you lose power, please call Eversource at 1-800-592-2000 or online here.

  (Photo: Fallen tree limb in the storm.)

If you see a downed power line or pole, please report it to Eversource at 800-592-2000 and stay away from the extremely dangerous downed live wire until officials make the area safe for everyone.

Reminders:

• The Snow Emergency Parking Ban is still in effect. Check the website at newtonma.gov for the most up to date information on when the parking ban will be lifted.

• Trash and Recycling Collection will be collected on a one day delayed schedule starting on Tuesday.

• City Hall, all city buildings and the Newton Public Schools are closed today and for all in-person activities this evening.

• Please help our DPW plow crews and contractors by not clearing your snow into the streets since it slows our plowing efforts. Also, a gentle reminder to the people who plow your driveways would also be appreciated.

• Report snow-related issues online through the 311 reporting system at newtonma.gov or by telephone at 617-796 -1000.

Keep Vents Clear

Make sure to clear exhaust vents from direct vent gas furnace systems to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and check to make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are working as it is a silent, odorless killer.

Our DPW crews and firefighters would also be very grateful for your help in shoveling out storm drains and fire hydrants near your home.

A Lot of Heavy Snow

Our DPW crews and contractors have been out all night and are continuing to plow as the heaviest snow continues to fall. Please remain off the roads if you can.

Again, since this snow will fall on top of a lot of snow and ice that is already on the ground, our plowing may cause us to push additional snow onto already cleared driveway entrances and sidewalks. I apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause and ask for your patience as we do our snow clearing work.

We'll send another update later today.

Stay safe.

Mayor Marc C. Laredo

(Photo: Newtonians at the Newton Free Library Sunday afternoon stocking up on books, videos and games before the storm.)

A heavy, sustained snowstorm with blustering winds as high as 60 miles per hour is expected to start tonight between 9 p.m. and midnight and continue throughout the day tomorrow.

Here is some important storm-related information:

Cancellations

City Hall and all city buildings are closed tomorrow, and all city programs are cancelled.

Superintendent Anna Nolin has cancelled all classes at the Newton Public Schools for tomorrow and all after-school activities also are cancelled. Newton Public School updates can found at newton.k12.ma.us.

City Council Meetings on Monday

Please check the Electronic Posting board on the City's website here to check on the status of public meetings scheduled for Monday night.

Full Snow Emergency Parking Ban in effect tonight at 9 p.m.

The Snow Emergency Parking Ban for on-street parking went into effect at 5 p.m. and the ban on parking in municipal and school parking lots will go into effect at 9 p.m. No cars can be parked on the street, in municipal parking lots, or school parking lots. This will enable our DPW crews and contractors to safely and effectively clear our roads and parking lots. Cars may be towed if they are left on the street or in municipal or school parking lots.

Trash and Recycling Collection Delay

Trash and Recycling Collection will be collected on a one day delayed schedule starting on Tuesday.

Heavy Wind Expected During Early Morning Hours

Crews are in place and ready to respond to any downed branches, limbs or trees.

If you lose power, please call Eversource at 1-800-592-2000 or contact it online here.

If you see a downed power line or pole, please report it to Eversource at 800-592-2000 and stay away from the hazard until officials make the area safe for everyone.

As always, in an emergency, call 911.

If you need non-emergency assistance during the storm, please call City of Newton Customer Service at 617-796-1000 or use the 311 app on your smart phone or computer. The online link for 311 is here.

Crews are Ready

This is another big storm. Our Department of Public Works crews and contractors will be out plowing throughout the night – as long as conditions are safe – and well after the snow stops tomorrow.

Our DPW team works hard to get our roads, sidewalks, parking lots, intersections, and crosswalks cleared quickly, including, where possible, clearing streets from curb to curb.

In a big storm of this duration, plows will need to make several passes along streets to first make them passable for emergency vehicles (our top priority) and then widen them from the center toward the curb.

Since this snow will fall on top of a lot of snow and ice that is already on the ground, this additional plowing may cause us to push additional snow onto already cleared driveway entrances and sidewalks. I apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause and ask for your patience as we do our snow clearing work.

Stay Tuned

We will continue to send email updates throughout the storm. Information will also be posted on our website at newtonma.gov.

Please Stay Home if Possible

Gov. Maura Healey this afternoon declared a State of Emergency in Massachusetts. With heavy snow and gusting winds making visibility difficult and road conditions treacherous, please, if you can, stay off the roads.

Mayor Marc C. Laredo