Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced today that he has declared a state of emergency, as the City of Newark braces for more than two feet of snow this evening and tomorrow. Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 28 tomorrow, and a low of 16. During snowstorms, the City mobilizes personnel and vehicles to spread salt and plow roads as conditions dictate. The first priority for salting is hills, bridges, and major arteries that lead in and out of the City’s borders. Residents should not shovel snow back onto streets after they have been plowed. This becomes a safety hazard and an additional cost to the City because the road has to be re-plowed. The City of Newark requests the cooperation of all residents to help the snow cleanup effort. All parking regulations are suspended tomorrow. The Emergency Snow Removal number is (973) 733-5830. For additional information about the snowstorm and the City’s response, please visit the City’s website at ci.newark.nj.us “The City of Newark is facing a major snowfall tonight and tomorrow. I encourage residents to stay home and off the roads during and after the storm, as we move to clear the streets. Keep your cars parked in your driveways if possible. Our residents must do their part and be good neighbors by continuing to take action to ensure the safety of their homes, their sidewalks and their neighborhoods,” Mayor Baraka said. “I urge everyone to abide by our ordinances. When you shovel snow, please keep it out of the street, for the safety of motorists and emergency vehicles, and do not shovel it onto fire hydrants. When driving, take your time and drive safely. If we all work together during this snowstorm, we can continue to transform Newark into a City we can all believe in.” As a “Good Neighbor” you can assist the City and your neighbors in weathering the snowstorm, by abiding by the following laws: Park vehicles in your driveway, so that the plows can get through to remove snow and ice. If possible, share your driveway with neighbors or secure vehicles on off-street lots. Clear snow and ice from the sidewalk in front of your storefront or home. Do not throw snow into the street. Place the snow on your lawn, on the side of your home or in the rear of the property. Remove snow and ice from hydrants and/or drains near your home. If you must venture out, take public transportation or car pool where possible. Be aware of alternate side of the street parking signs and parking restrictions when road is snow covered. Home and property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from all private residential and commercial property, including areas in and around driveways, sidewalks, and walkways. The City of Newark does not provide snow removal services to private property – residential or commercial. Streets must be cleared from curb to curb. Residents and business owners are encouraged to remove snow in a two-foot circumference around fire hydrants located in front of their residences or businesses. Clearing the streets of snow may require several passes of the snow plows. If you have no sidewalk, pile snow on the left side of the driveway (stand facing the residence). If there is a sidewalk in front of the residence, pile snow to the left of the driveway behind the shovel (stand facing the residence). After the street is plowed, the front of the residence should remain clear of obstructions for parking. There are two Snow Removal ordinances: 29:17-3. Keeping Traffic Lanes Clear; Manner of Clearing Access of Parking Places: “No person shall place, or cause to be placed, any snow or ice upon the traffic lanes of the roadway of any streets. In the event that it is necessary to clear the roadway of snow and ice in front of any property for the purpose of providing parking space or to give access to such property, then such snow or ice shall be property piled in the roadway in front of such property at no greater distance than six (6) feet from the curb line and in such manner that the gutter way shall be unobstructed. (R.O. 1966 22:17-3) The second ordinance is 29:17-4. Dumping in Roadway from Private Property: It shall be unlawful for any person to remove snow or ice from any private property and place the same onto the sidewalk or roadway of any street (R.O. 1966 22:17-4) All violations will be ticketed and subject to action in the Newark Municipal Court. Residents, business owners, and landlords are reminded that anyone who shovels snow into City streets will face Municipal Court action and fines. In addition, Mayor Baraka reminded residents that shoveling snow on top of fire hydrants is illegal and can result in a $1,000 fine in Newark Municipal Court. Snow-covered hydrants can delay firefighters in responding to life-threatening fires. Residents who hurl shoveled snow onto fire hydrants endanger themselves and their neighbors. When firefighters have to remove snow from a covered hydrant, it uses up time they need that could make a difference in saving a life. Residents should never shovel snow onto fire hydrants. Residents were urged to “adopt” hydrants near their homes and businesses, to keep them clear. For further information, or to report streets that need salting or plowing, contact the City of Newark Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311 during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For snow complaints after business hours, call (973) 733-5830. Residents should stay tuned to City of Newark Government Access Channel 78 for more updates on the winter storm, or the City’s Twitter account at twitter/cityofnewarknj. You should also stay tuned to local weather reports to stay abreast of the forecast.
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 22:43:40 +0000