Waltham's 2016 Winter Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know

WALTHAM, MA – As we enter the winter months, the weather becomes a bigger factor in our lives. Between snow, sleet, wintry mixes and freezing temperatures, it's more important than ever to make sure your family is safe in the event of an emergency. Here is some important information you should know about winter in Waltham.

Parking

The Consolidated Public Works Director will call a “snow emergency” when Excessive amounts of snow are predicted. All vehicles must be removed from all roadways to allow for a better clearing job. All vehicles left on the road are subject to tow.

These emergencies are usually called well in advance of these storms to allow residents plenty of time to make arrangements.

Snow Emergencies are broadcast on all major television stations as well as local television and on the City of Waltham web site.

Residents may move their cars to any municipal or school lot. For a list of rules on parking in these lots, click here.

Snow Removal

According to the City of Waltham website:

Plowing Operations
Waltham’s streets are divided into 61 plow routes plus schools. During a significant snow storm the streets on each route are plowed in sequence and made passable as quickly as possible. While it is snowing drivers are instructed to open up each route. When the storm abates the drivers will widen out all streets by pushing the accumulated snow back to the curb.
To avoid shoveling driveways several times residents should wait to clear after the plow operation is over.
This is usually about 2 hours after the last snow has fallen.

Sidewalk Clearing
Whenever there is a significant snowfall, the City of Waltham will plow sidewalks as soon as possible on selected roadways and school routes. (schools being first priority)

Residential Walks
While there is currently no ordinance in the City of Waltham that requires residents to clear their walks, it is strongly encouraged to ensure safe pedestrian passage.

Commercial Walks
City ordinance 17-23 states that certain sidewalks (Moody & Main) are the responsibility of the owners of that property. Please click HERE to see our City Orindance on removal of snow from certain sidewalks.

Where to put the Snow?
Residents and businesses should not shovel, blow, plow or throw snow onto the streets or pile it so as to block sidewalks. City ordinance 17-16 prohibits this and could result in a fine.

Important Numbers:

Waltham Police Department: Main Line: (781) 642-6166

Waltham Fire Department: (781) 314-3700

Waltham Public Works: (781) 314-3800

National Grid Outage Line: 1-800-465-1212. You can also report an outage here.

In an emergency dial 911.

Important Information

• 18 Tips to Prepare For Thursday's Subzero Windchills
• Tips to Deal With - and Prevent - Frozen Pipes
• How to Keep Your Pets Safe in Freezing Cold Winter Weather
• 11 Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips
• Subscribe to the Waltham Patch Newsletter

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