'Snow Emergency' Declared In West Haven

Hamden CT

16 December, 2020

3:25 PM

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Written by Michael P. Walsh WEST HAVEN, CT — To help crews expedite snow removal, West Haven Mayor Nancy R. Rossi has declared a "Snow Emergency" parking ban during the storm. The executive order bans parking from 11 p.m. today until 7 a.m. Thursday on both sides of Campbell and Savin avenues, Morgan Lane, Elm Street, Meloy Road, Second Avenue from Elm to Beach streets, and Main Street from Savin to Washington avenues. The order will be reevaluated Thursday morning. Once snow begins to fall, a parking ban is also in effect on the even-numbered side of most other roads, unless one is posted with a "No Parking" sign on the odd side. The even-numbered ban is in effect for 36 hours after the storm, which is forecast to dump more than a foot of snow on the area, according to Emergency Management Director Joseph Soto. Police will enforce the emergency order and tag and tow all vehicles violating the mandatory parking bans at the owner's expense, Soto said. Violators will receive a $100 fine, per the "Severe Weather" parking ordinance under Chapter 188 of the West Haven Code. Soto said residents are urged to move all vehicles to the appropriate side of the street or move them off the street if they are in a snow emergency zone. Vehicles can be parked in driveways, on lawns or in public lots, including schools, he said. The following public lots are available for off-street parking: All schools.Bradley Point, Captain Thomas Boulevard.Campbell Avenue, across from Duffy's Tavern, 241 Campbell Ave.Campbell Avenue, behind Leslie Jewelers, 523 Campbell Ave.Campbell Avenue and Captain Thomas Boulevard, next to Biagetti's Restaurant, 77 Campbell Ave., and Scoreboards Cafe, 100 Campbell Ave.City Hall, 355 Main St.Curtiss Place, behind 473 Campbell Ave.Dawson Avenue, across from West Shore fire headquarters, 852 Ocean Ave.Former Stiles School, 575 Main St.Former Thompson School, 165 Richards St.Johnson Community Center, 201 Noble St.Oak Street, Oak Street Beach.Quigley Stadium, 362 Front Ave.Savin Rock Conference Center, 6 Rock St.Sawmill Road, across from Econo Lodge, 370 Highland St.Sea Bluff, Ocean Avenue and Platt Court. Police Chief Joseph S. Perno said all vehicles parked in school lots must be removed 24 hours after the storm so Board of Education crews can plow the lots. Public Works Commissioner Tom J. McCarthy said residents are urged to be patient throughout the snow removal process. Every neighborhood will be plowed, he said. West Haven's public schools are operating remotely for distance learning Thursday and Friday. City Hall and other municipal buildings, including the compost site, are closed Thursday and Friday. Nonessential employees should not report to work. Nonessential workers include employees of City Hall and other municipal buildings, such as the Department of Parks and Recreation, as well as civilian employees of the Police Department. Trash, recycling and leaf bag pickups are suspended Thursday and delayed for at least one day for the rest of the week. Do not put out trash, recyclables or leaf bags today. Visit here for information on the rest of the curbside pickup week. Anyone who loses power during the height of the storm is urged to shelter in place, Soto said. To prevent accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, make sure all generators are operated outside, not in garages, and all household ventilation pipes are kept clear. Also, make sure all vehicle exhaust pipes are kept clear. For medical and other emergencies, call 911. McCarthy said residents and businesses are reminded to shovel their sidewalks within 24 hours after the storm or face a $25 fine "for each day that the violation persists." According to the "Removal of Snow and Ice" ordinance under Chapter 195 of the West Haven Code, people are given 24 hours to remove snow from sidewalks on and bordering their properties. Violators are subject to the $25-per-day fine, which is enforced by police, the ordinance states. McCarthy also pointed out that plowing or blowing snow into city streets is prohibited and violators are subject to a $60 fine for each offense, per the ordinance. Snow removal around mailboxes is the property owner's responsibility. Residents are also urged to help firefighters keep hydrants clear of snow. For information on the tow and recovery of a vehicle, call the Police Department's nonemergency line at 203-937-3900. For all other information, call the Emergency Operations Center at 203-937-3630 or 203-931-4940, starting at 7 p.m. today, or the Highway Department at 203-937-3644.