Winter Storm Watch 2013

[Updated: Friday at 4:45 p.m.]

Clarification on Snow Parking Rules

The Montclair Police Department has provided clarification for parking on streets where overnight permit parking is allowed, the following parking regulations will go into effect during a snow event:

1. On even calendar days permit parking including daily permits shall be allowed on the north and east sides of the street.
2. On odd calendar days parking shall be allowed on the south and west sides of the street.

The determining factor should be the violation date during the 2 to 5 a.m. window to determine if it is an odd or even day.

Tonight: night permit holders are allowed to park on the south and west sides of the street since the violation date for overnight parking will be Feb. 9.

This does not apply to one-time use/daily scratch off permits – these are prohibited during a snow emergency and vehicles displaying these types of permits will be ticketed and removed from the roadway. 

Freeholder Brendan Gill Releases Winter Storm Statement

In response to the winter storm hitting the east coast, Freeholder Brendan Gill has released the following statement. 

“Essex County Executive DiVincenzo has declared a Snow Emergency in Essex County. Robo-calls were made to all county residents Thursday night to announce that all county parks will be closed as of 2:00 PM Friday, and also asking that no cars be parked on county roads after 2:00 PM, Friday, to facilitate plowing.

“In Montclair, this announcement specifically refers to Anderson, Brookdale and Glenfield parks, Eagle RockReservation and the following county roads: Alexander Avenue, Bay Avenue, Bradford Avenue, BloomfieldAvenue, Grove Street, Mount Hebron Road, Normal Avenue, Orange Road, Upper Mountain Avenue, ValleyRoad and Watchung Avenue.

“The County began the salting of county roads at 7:00 AM this morning, which will continue throughout the storm, and plows will be available as of 2:00 PM and dispatched to begin plowing as weather conditions warrant.

“I urge all Montclair residents to exercise extreme caution throughout this storm, to stay off the streets as much as possible and, most importantly, to be safe.”

Recreation Programs Canceled, Supervised Sleigh Riding

All Montclair Recreation Department programs have been canceled for Friday and Saturday.  

Supervised sleigh riding will take place at Mountainside Park this weekend only once the snowfall has stopped and the streets have been plowed. 

Upper Mountain Avenue will be between Windsor Place and Mt. Hebron Road to allow for sleigh riding at the Mountainside Park during the following times: weekends, holidays and school snow days between noon and 4 p.m.

Snow Parking Rules In Effect: Don't Get a Ticket!

Montcliar Police Department is recommending that residents do not park on snow covered streets during the storm. 

Chief David P. Sabagh has also declared snow parking rules are in effect as of 8 p.m. on Friday. There will be no parking on snow covered streets in order to help with snow removal and plowing. The ordinance will be strictly enforced and vehicles will be towed and fined, said Sabagh in a press release. 

A formal state of emergency has not been declared for the township, but residents are urged to exercise caution while on the roads.

Know Your Role as a Resident

To provide more efficient snow plowing and salting operations for the Department of Community Services crews, residents and businesses need to work together to manage challenging winter weather conditions and reduce the time and expense necessary to complete a storm cleanup.

The Township of Montclair provides some ways that residents and businesses can help improve snow and ice storm cleanup efficiency.

• Clear snow and ice from all sidewalks that adjoin your property. Property owners are required to remove snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their property.
  
  
• Help the Montclair Fire Department by clearing snow away from fire hydrants. This will make it quicker for firefighters to access the hydrant in the event of an emergency.
  
  
• Help clear snow and ice away from catch basins around your property. This will allow proper drainage and will reduce the chance of flooding on the street and on property.
  
  
• Remove soccer goals, basketball hoops and other such items from the sides of the streets. These create a hindrance to snow removal and can be damaged by plows.
  
  
• If at all possible, avoid traveling on township streets during snow removal operations.
  
  
• Do not shovel or plow snow into the street. Montclair prohibits depositing snow from cars, sidewalks, driveways or parking lots onto township streets. This practice is dangerous and impedes the township’s snow removal efforts. Residents who violate this prohibition will be cited and fined.
  
  
• Remove all vehicles from the street during every snowfall. The greatest hindrance to timely and efficient snow removal is vehicles that are parked on the streets.

Recycling Center Closed Saturday

The Montclair Department of Community Services Recycling Drop-Off Center will be closed on Saturday due to anticipated snow conditions. DCS staff will be involved with storm cleanup activities.

The Recycling Drop-Off Center will reopen next week on the regular schedule, weather permitting.   

Taking photos of the storm? Then send them to the Montclair Patch at mike.donofrio@patch.com!