Somerville Cancels School, Declares Snow Emergency

SOMERVILLE, MA – Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone has declared a snow emergency, effective Monday, March 12 at 5 p.m. All schools, libraries and city offices will be closed Tuesday, March 13 and school and recreation activities are canceled. Trash pickup will be delayed by one day for the rest of the week.

All vehicles must be moved to the odd-numbered side of the street by 9 p.m. Monday evening. Those unable to find parking on the odd-numbered side may park in any municipal or school parking lot beginning at 5 p.m. Monday and may remain there for the duration of the emergency. Vehicles must be moved within two hours of the end of the emergency.

Residents are asked to only move their cars to a school or municipal lot if they have a flexible schedule and are able to move your car at any time with a two-hour notice. Ticketing and towing will begin Monday at 9 p.m. for cars not moved to the ODD-numbered side of the street or to a municipal or school lot.

Cars parked within 20 feet of an intersection are also subject to ticket and towing. It is important that vehicles only be parked on one side of the street and at least 20 feet from an intersection and less than one foot from the curb to ensure plows can make all roads accessible and safe, particularly for emergency vehicles, according to city officials.

For a list and map of municipal and school lots, visit www.somervillema.gov/snow/off-street-parking.

Residents are also reminded that property owners are responsible for removing snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their property within six daylight hours of the end of snowfall. Take necessary precautions to take breaks and stay warm and dry when shoveling – review cold weather safety tips at www.somervillema.gov/coldweather.

Residents are asked to check on any neighbors who may need assistance, including the elderly and persons with disabilities. Please remember they may need assistance not just during and after the storm but also beforehand to prepare and get necessary medication and supplies.

Residents are also encouraged to sign up for the City's alert system to receive notification by phone, email, and/or text message in the event of emergencies or with important information for your neighborhood. Residents may also sign up for alerts by calling 311 (617-666-3311 from cell phones or outside the city).

Once a snow emergency has been declared, residents will be notified via multiple lines of communication, including:

• Citywide alerts;
• City Cable TV (Channel 22 for Comcast customers, Channel 13 for RCN customers) and Educational TV (Channel 15);
• Local TV, radio and print media;
• Postings on City social media feeds, including:
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/SomervilleCity; www.facebook.com/311Somerville
  • Twitter: @SomervilleCity; @311Somerville
• City website: www.somervillema.gov
• Flashing blue lights activated at 22 key intersections in the City (when lights are flashing, a snow emergency is in effect).

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