Early Snow, No Blue Lights

A well-publicized early snowstorm is scheduled to hit Marblehead tomorrow, but the mandatory parking ban does not take effect until Monday, November 26th; which could cause problems for the snow plows should they be necessary.

Had the Selectmen endorsed an article presented last May at Town Meeting to install a snow emergency “blue-Light” system, as all the surrounding communities have adopted, the streets tonight could be cleared with the flip of a switch.

The Selectmen, along with the Fire and Police chiefs opposed the blue lights citing safety concerns with narrow streets and their beliefs that Marblehead citizens would simply ignore the lights.

Proponents cited that facts that storms are overly hyped in advance giving plenty of time for the blue lights inform people to seek off street parking and that for most of the winter the streets are as clear as summer – when these safety concerns disappear.

Additionally, the article allowed for the Selectmen to impose a parking ban on some streets for the entire winter if safety was a concern.

Proponents plan to bring the measure back again this year.