Snow Update from City of Boston

CITY OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

Office of the Mayor

Thomas M. Menino

For Immediate Release:                                                For More Information Contact:

Monday, February 11, 2013                                                     Press Office, 617-635-4461

Clean-up Efforts Continue in Boston

Boston Public Schools Closed Tuesday, February 12

Parking Ban & Snow Emergency Remains in Effect

Mayor Thomas M. Menino this afternoon was briefed by his snow team on continued clean-up efforts in the City of Boston. Boston Public Schools will be closed tomorrow and all Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) community centers will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for parents to bring their children. The Parking Ban and Snow Emergency remain in effect.

“The safety of our students comes first, and schools will remain closed as our snow removal crews work through the night and tomorrow to clear side streets and widen bus routes,” Mayor Menino said. “While the Snow Emergency and Parking Ban remain in effect, I’m continuing to urge drivers to stay off the roads. Anyone traveling into Boston tomorrow should use public transportation.”

All BCYF Community Centers Open Tomorrow

All BCYF community centers will open tomorrow to offer a warm and safe place for youth age six and older while their parents work, with the exception of the BCYF Archdale Community Center and the BCYF Flaherty Pool, currently under construction.  All youth are welcome but children under 12 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at drop-off for the completion of a short intake form. A full list of locations is available at www.cityofboston.gov/BCYF/facilities/. BCYF’s two outdoor pools, BCYF Clougherty Pool and BCYF Mirabella Pool, will also remain closed.

Boston Public Schools’ Family Resource Center, Newcomers Assessment Center, Campbell Resource Center and BPS administrative offices at 26 Court St. will be open tomorrow.

Snow Removal Strike Force to Work Through Evening

Clean-up efforts will continue through the night and into tomorrow. Snow Removal Strike Force teams, comprised of members of the Boston Public Works Department, Boston Transportation Department, Boston Police Department, and the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services, were deployed throughout the City today to remove piles of snow from roadways and intersections. That work will also continue through the evening.

Photo opportunities for press include (Press should contact Press Office to coordinate on locations/timing):

·         A snow thrower on loan from Massport is working through the night on American Legion Highway

·         Snow melting machines on loan from Massport will work through the night at the intersection of Boylston and Charles Street, and at Forest Hills

·         Harrison Avenue, from Kneeland Street to Marginal Road

·         Washington Street, from Forest Hills to Egleston Square

·         Columbia Road, from Uphams Corner to Blue Hill Avenue

The City is currently utilizing four snow farms, including at Marine Industrial Park, Reservation Road in Hyde Park and Columbus Avenue, next to 1542 Columbus.

The Mayor’s 24-Hour Hotline is fully staffed and continues to experience heavy call volume, receiving more than 25,000 calls since the start of the storm. Residents with storm-related questions or concerns should call the Hotline at 617-635-4500. Residents can also request services and find snow information online at www.cityofboston.gov/snow.

Safety Remains A Concern

The City is asking residents to continue to stay off the roads when at all possible. Drivers should continue to proceed with extreme caution if they must drive, paying special attention to increased numbers of pedestrians. Side streets are narrow, making the passage of two vehicles traveling in opposite directions problematic. Large piles of plowed snow at intersections present visibility issues.

Carbon Monoxide is an odorless and tasteless gas that results from combustion and can quickly become fatal. Boston EMS has already seen several cases of CO poisoning as people shovel out their cars while having them turned on. Residents should clear snow and debris away from mufflers before starting the car. Symptoms of CO poisoning include dizziness, nausea, headache, lethargy and vomiting. Carbon monoxide can also result from snow covered external vents. Major home appliances such as the clothes dryer and furnace vent air and gases outside. Check the vents around your home and make sure the area is clear of snow and debris. If you are using a generator, make sure it is far enough away to vent air and gases away from the home.

Snow Emergency

While a snow emergency is in effect, parking is prohibited on all major arteries in Boston. Mayor Menino urges everyone to use public transportation when traveling.

Mayor Menino also reminds residents of the following:

·         Older residents or those with health conditions should refrain from shoveling this heavy snow.

·         During a Snow Emergency, parking is prohibited on all major arteries in Boston. These streets are posted with “Tow Zone - No Parking During Snow Emergency” signs.

·         A listing of major arteries and alternate parking can be found at http://www.cityofboston.gov/snow/parking/.

·         On streets other than major arteries, do not park within 20 feet of an intersection or further than one foot from the curb, as this impedes access for both emergency vehicles and snow plows.

·         Parking space savers must be removed no more than 48 hours after a snow emergency is lifted. The City’s Department of Public Works will remove space savers left out beyond this period.

·         Do not throw snow back into the street. “Throwbacks” force the city to remove snow from the same street twice.

·         Shovel out fire hydrants, catch basins and pedestrian ramps close to your home.

·         Property owners are reminded to shovel snow from sidewalks that abut their homes and businesses and any handicapped ramps close to your homes or business.

·         Please check on elderly neighbors and others in need.

·         For additional snow and cold weather safety tips, please visit www.cityofboston.gov/snow

During declared snow emergencies, discounted parking is available at several parking lots and garages to cars that display Boston resident parking stickers.  Residents are encouraged to use the City’s “Know Snow” program for access to other important storm-related information. For more information, visit http://cityofboston.gov/snow

The City's Shelter Commission asks that any resident who sees a potential medical emergency involving a homeless person dial 911.

To receive notifications about emergencies from the City, register for the Alert Boston network at http://www.cityofboston.gov/alertboston/.  You can also follow @NotifyBoston on Twitter.

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