Preparations are underway for a major winter storm predicted for Thursday. Here’s how communities in the area are gearing up for the potential blizzard.
Lynn
Lynn schools will be closed and a snow emergency will be in effect Wednesday night at 10 p.m. The blue lights alerting residents that a parking ban is imminent will be lit at 5 p.m.
If your car is parked on a major artery, it may be ticketed, towed or both, according to Robert Stilian, the city’s acting parking director.
A ticket will cost you $150, the tow $170 and $35 a day for storage.
Towed cars are brought to the lot behind the fire station on Western Avenue by G/J Towing. They only accept cash.
Andrew Hall, commissioner of the Department of Public Works, encourages residents to park at any of the public school lots. The only exception is the Classical High School lot on Holyoke Street which will be closed. The other lot at O’Callaghan Way is available.
Hall said a decision will be made on Thursday afternoon about when the cars need to be moved. Check the city’s website for updates.
Lynn’s trash pick up will be delayed two days for the holiday and the storm. If your trash is usually collected on Thursday, refuse trucks will make the pickup on Saturday.
Mayor Thomas M. McGee encourages residents to be prepared for large amounts of snowfall, widespread power outages and coastal flooding. High winds are expected to cause snowdrifts on top of accumulated snow, he said, and predicted wind speeds, if power is lost the utility restoration may be prolonged. Coastal flooding is a concern during the mid-day high tide on Thursday, the mayor said.
“Residents are strongly advised to stay away from the coastline,” McGee said in a statement. “Motorists are urged to stay off of the roadways during the storm. Travel will be very dangerous.”
Lynnfield
Town schools are cancelled for Thursday.
The town has a winter parking ban from 1 a.m. to 7 a.m. in effect through March 31. The ban is more heavily enforced during during snow events, said Interim Town Administrator Robert Curtin. He also said he’ll meet with the public works director, police and fire chiefs, and the school superintendent Wednesday afternoon to review storm plans.
Lynnfield residents looking to prepare for the storm can pick up a salt and sand mix available in the lower level of the town hall parking lot.
Peabody
The city has declared an emergency parking ban effective at midnight in ahead of the nearly foot of snow and heavy winds forecast for the North Shore. All vehicles need to be removed from public ways at that time.
With the snow expected to start around 5 a.m., public works director David Terenzoni said crews will be called in around 3 a.m. to prep for the storm.
“We’ll pretreat some of the hills, and then we will bring in the plowing contractors early before everything gets hot and heavy,” he said.
Trash and recycling has been canceled for Thursday, and will resume Friday and Saturday, weather permitting.
School has been canceled for Thursday and Friday in Peabody.
The recent cold snap has been nearly as big an issue as the coming snow. In Peabody, there was a two-hour delay Tuesday and there were issues keeping a handful of buses running.
Wednesday, the assistant superintendent said everything went smoothly with school opening. But Levine said Friday’s predicted frigid temperatures could create more issues if school were to open.
“It’s going to be a nasty day, so I’m already thinking ahead to that,” he said.
Marblehead
Marblehead has an overnight winter parking ban between midnight and 7 a.m. until April 15. That ban is extended to the entire day for the duration of a declared snow emergency. Vehicles must be moved immediately off the public way, else they will be towed at the owner’s expense.
Malden
Malden will declare a snow emergency at midnight along with a parking ban extending into Thursday. According to the city of Malden website, people should seek off-street parking.
Malden’s Street Alerts app, in which citizens can find out any parking restrictions at a specific address.
Residents without access to off-street parking will be able to park in several public lots starting at 8 p.m. Check the city of Malden website for a list of these locations.
Malden’s flyer for winter parking includes a list of streets where there is no parking on either side during a snow emergency. This flyer can be found on the City of Malden website.
Malden has cancelled trash collection on Thursday, and will resume Friday.
Malden Public Schools will be closed Thursday and Friday.
Medford
A snow emergency declaration in Medford will be in effect Thursday morning at 7 a.m. until further notice. During the emergency, all vehicles must be parked on the odd side of the street unless otherwise posted.
Cars parked on emergency arteries will be ticketed and towed until the snow emergency is lifted. This will make it easier for plowing as well as emergency vehicles, according to the City of Medford website
Medford Waste Management will not collect trash and recycling on Thursday. Recovery will resume on Friday, and over the weekend they will make up any routes missed because of the weather.
Medford Public Schools will be closed Thursday and Friday.
Nahant
Trash collection is delayed for one day. Town hall will be closed on Thursday, according to the town website.
Nahant will be issuing a snow emergency shortly after 3 p.m. Wednesday, according to DPW Supervisor Dennis Ball. They will be following through with their standard operating procedure for snow emergency, which means no on-street parking throughout the town.
“The neighborhoods take care of themselves but we just ask that people be aware of their neighbors,” said Ball. “The only thing we are concerned about is the tides.”
Revere
In Revere, schools will be closed Thursday and Friday. A parking ban will be in effect starting at 7 a.m. Police Chief James Guido said the floodgates will be closed at 5 a.m. Thursday preventing travel between Winthrop and Revere.
“We are not taking any chances on this one,” he said.
Trash collection will start at 6 a.m. to try and stay ahead of the storm, according to the Revere 311 Facebook page.
Saugus
The town has issued a snow emergency and town-wide parking ban effective at 6 a.m. Thursday, January 4 and lasting until 6 a.m. Friday, January 5, or until updated. All motor vehicles must be moved from the streets with available parking in the Saugus High School upper lot, located at 1 Pearce Memorial Drive, according to a press release.
Trash and recycling collection will be cancelled for Thursday, January 4 and will resume on Friday, January 5 and continue through Saturday, January 6, weather permitting.
Emergency shelter will be activated if needed at the Saugus Senior Center, in the event of severe power outages or heating issues. Anyone in need of these services should contact Saugus Emergency Management at 781-231-4175 or 911.
Swampscott
School will be closed on Thursday, according to the School Department.
The town has declared a snow emergency beginning at midnight Thursday through 6 a.m. Friday morning according to DPW Director Gino Cresta Jr. Swampscott schools are officially closed for Thursday, January 4.
“There is no on-street parking whatsoever,” Cresta said. “Please stay off the streets and allow the DPW to do their job.”