Medford's Winter Parking, Snow Removal Rules

MEDFORD, MA – So far snow has been absent from the forecast this season, but it won't be that way forever. Now's a good time to take stock of Medford's parking rules and snow regulations before the first big snowfall of the season hits.

See below for what to do during a snow emergency, according to the city of Medford:

Parking

Winter parking regulations, which began Dec. 1 and run through April 1, will only be enforced when a snow emergency is declared.

The correct side of the street to park on depends on the year in which the winter begins. For instance, these regulations started Dec. 1, 2018, so parking is required on the even-numbered side of the street unless otherwise restricted. Dual-side parking is suspended during snow emergencies.

Here are some exceptions to the regulations, courtesy of Medford Police:

• Commercially registered motor vehicles (any vehicle w/o passenger plate registrations), Commercially lettered motor vehicles, vehicles with trailers and/or Oversize vehicles may NOT park overnight from 12 – 7 am on city streets. This is in effect year round. 365 days. Violation of City Commercial Motor Vehicle Ordinance. This is a year-round violation.
• Snow Emergency Regulations: "Emergency Arteries" when it is determined that parked vehicles may impede the plowing or removing of snow or ice and impair the free flow of traffic, a snow emergency will be declared by the Commissioner of Public Works. During a declared Snow Emergency, there shall be no parking on either side of duly posted streets.( fine in addition to a tow fee).
• Impeding Snow Removal/Emergency Vehicles: Under pertinent laws – No vehicle may park on any City Street or Private Way in such a manner that it'll impede or prevent the passage of Emergency Vehicles and Snow removal vehicles -Emergency Vehicles and Snow removal vehicles need a minimum of 12 feet.
• During declared snow emergencies, on the designated streets cars can be ticketed and towed. The following streets are designated as Emergency Arteries: Boston Avenue, Central Avenue, College Avenue from George Street to Boston Avenue, Forest Street, Fulton Street, George Street, Governors Avenue, Grove Street, Hancock Street, Harvard Avenue, Harvard Street, High Street, Lawrence Road, Main Street, Medford Street, Mystic Avenue from Main Street to Crescent Street, Playstead Road, Riverside Avenue, Salem Street, Spring Street, Washington Street, Webster Street, Willis Avenue, Winthrop Street and Woburn Street.
• Those residents who have driveways, garages, or other off-street parking facility are not allowed to park on the street for a period of time longer than one hour between 12 a.m. to 7 a.m. and could face a fine.

And remember: Saving parking spaces just because you shoveled them out is not allowed.

What are you responsible for shoveling?

It is the responsibility of the person living in the residence to:

• Keep the adjacent sidewalks clear of snow and ice. If you go out of town, make sure someone else will do it.
• Clear openings at corners, crosswalks and curb cuts so pedestrians can cross safely.
• Dig out fire hydrants and catch basins.
• Always park your car at least 20 feet from the street corner so plows can push snow away from the crosswalks.
• Pay attention to “No Parking” signs during snow emergencies.

In Medford, sidewalks must be cleared within 6 hours after the snow falls. Failing to comply with this sidewalk clearance ordinance is a fineable offense. You will be fined $25 the first time, then $50 per day.

Tossing snow into the street is not allowed.

Often the DPW plows snow back into your driveway. Pushing snow into a driveway opening or along a car parked in the street is really unavoidable, according to the city. Don’t throw snow from your sidewalks into the street ($50 fine 1st time, $100 fine 2nd time).

What if you need help?

The city of Medford does not provide shoveling services. A list of shovelers for hire is available at City Hall (781-393-2408) and the Council on Aging (781-396-6010).

Sign up for community announcements that get delivered to your phone or email including information about shoveling and snow at this website: http://is.gd/medford.

Don’t slip-slide away!
For people on foot, with strollers and in wheelchairs, ice can be worse than snow. It can cause dangerous falls. You are as responsible for ice on your sidewalks as you are for snow. You must address or treat it within 6 hours.

• Stock up on ice melter before a storm. Make sure to sprinkle some down before the storm comes.
• Use ice melter on your driveway entrance and sidewalks early and often to prevent snow from packing down and forming into ice.
• Make sure to wipe your feet after applying it so you don’t track it into your house.

Materials to use:

• Use ice melter with calcium chloride (CaCl2). It’s better for the environment and only a small amount is required to melt ice. Potassium chloride (KCl) is okay but be aware it can damage concrete.
• Use biodegradable cat litter as another good option.
• Avoid rock salt (NaCl or sodium chloride) – it kills plants and trees. Also avoid sand. It doesn’t help pedestrians; it makes hard ice more slippery. It also gets into storm drains and catch basins and is expensive to clean up in the spring.

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