Newton Declares Snow Emergency, All Students To Go Online

NEWTON, MA — Newton has declared a snow emergency and parking ban. And students who are not already taking all of their classes online will pivot to online only for the day. The first snow emergency of this season comes as the National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning and predicted up to a foot of snow will hit the area by Thursday morning.

An emergency parking ban will go into effect at midnight in Newton.

Between Jan. 15 through March 31 cars are not allowed to park on any city street for longer than one hour between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. anyway, but if a “Snow Emergency” is declared, parking is not allowed on any city street or owners risk a ticket or tow. If you don't have a driveway you can park in city parking lots overnight. Permits are required through the Newton Police Department.

The city's Department of Public Works crews have been out pretreating the roads to help prevent icing. They’ll be out through the night and tomorrow clearing Newton’s approximately 600 miles of roadway, 80-plus miles of sidewalk the city is responsible for clearing, 43 school and municipal parking lots, 70 school bus stops and MBTA bus stops, T and commuter rail stations.

City Snow Ordinances

Property owners are required by city ordinances to clear snow and ice from the walk and ADA curb cuts within 30 hours after a storm has ended. Properties within identified business districts are required to clear snow and ice from the walk and ADA curb cuts within 24 hours. Depositing snow or ice on any public roadway or sidewalk is not permitted. View the City Ordinances here.

Snow days

Superintendent David Fleishman in-person classes are canceled and students who would have had class in person will pivot to online only for Thursday. Read more: How Snow Days Will Work At Newton Schools Amid Pandemic

Other Snow Storm-related closures and info:

• City Hall will be closed. Posted Zoom government meetings will be held as scheduled Wednesday and Thursday night.
  The Newton Free Library will also be closed on Thursday.
• The Senior Center virtual programs will continue as scheduled and the staff is working remotely.
• Trash and recycling will be pushed back one day.
• The Resource Recovery Center at Rumford Avenue will also be closed on Thursday.
• The Grab & Go meal program is canceled.
• If your power goes out, report it directly to Eversource here, or call 877-659-6326.

• Check www.newtonma.gov for updates on the timing of snow emergencies, potential building closures. You can report snow related issues on the 311 website or by using the 311 app.
• Emergencies should be reported by calling 911.
• All residents must clear their sidewalk within 24 hours of the end of the storm.

Also on Patch:

• Newton Rolls Back Coronavirus Rules: What Will Close
• Newton-Wellesley Hospital To Receive COVID-19 Vaccine Tuesday
• Newton Homeowners Will See Property Tax Increase In 2021

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.