State Of Emergency In Montclair Amid Storm: Snow, Schools, Travel

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair remained in a "state of emergency" as a winter storm settled across New Jersey on Monday.

State officials have imposed travel restrictions, and weather forecasters predict that a nor'easter could impact New Jersey well into Tuesday. Heavy snow is possible and winds could gust as high as 50 mph. More than an inch per hour could fall during the height of the storm, which could be anytime between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday, the National Weather Service said. READ MORE: Timeline, Hour-By-Hour NJ Snow, Nor'easter Forecast

In Montclair, township emergency management coordinator Rob Bianco declared a state of emergency to support the removal of snow and any emergencies caused by the snow and high winds.

The local state of emergency took effect at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

According to Montclair town officials:

• “Nonessential travel and on-street parking will be prohibited for all vehicles for the duration of the state of emergency. This nonessential travel ban does not apply to Township of Montclair municipal employees traveling to, from or in the course of municipal government work.”
• “Residents are reminded that parking on snow-covered streets is prohibited by ordinance 327-25 The no-parking prohibition remains in effect for a period of 12 hours after snowfall has stopped in order to facilitate snow removal operations. Police will be ticketing and towing vehicles parked on streets during this period.”
• “Residents may park their vehicles free of charge in municipal lots and decks from 5 p.m. [Sunday] until streets have been cleared of snow. A notice will go out to provide vehicle owners a 6-hour window for removing their vehicles from the lots and decks, once the streets have been cleared.”

The storm also affected public schools in Montclair.

School officials offered the following announcement about Monday’s schedule:

“Due to the predicted storm, all schools and offices will follow an Abbreviated Day or Curriculum Thursday schedule on Monday, February 1. No teacher office hours in the afternoon. All buildings are closed and staff members who report to buildings will work remotely until the end of the abbreviated day schedule at their school. Central Office staff will work remotely until 2 p.m. Food Service: Meals will be distributed on Tuesday and Thursday.”

School officials offered the following announcement about Tuesday's schedule:

“We hope that you were safe in the snowstorm. Schools will be in session for a full virtual school day on Tuesday, February 2. All buildings are closed and staff members in buildings and Central Office will work remotely the full school day. Food Service: Meals will be distributed Thursday. Stay safe in your travels.”

Other local storm-related posts appeared on social media, including messages from the Montclair Salvation Army Citadel and the Montclair Township Animal Shelter.

This article contains reporting by Tom Davis, Patch staff

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