The Town of West Hartford’s Public Works Department issued a parking ban effective Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 8 a.m., and schools will be in remote learning mode for the day.

By Ronni Newton

Director of Public Works John Phillips has announced that a parking ban will go into effect at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9, and will remain in effect until further notice.

West Hartford Public Schools announced early Monday evening that all schools and offices will be in remote mode on Tuesday.

Forecasters are calling for 2-4 inches of snow, and the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the area, which is in effect from 4 a.m.-10 p.m Tuesday.

Parking bans are needed to keep roadways free of vehicles so that Public Works crews are able to plow the snow from curb-to-curb, and cars parked on the road create safety hazards.

Owners who do not heed the parking ban will be fined, and the car may be towed.

“On-street parking is creeping out into the travel lane because most curbside spots are filled with snow,” town officials said in a news release Monday. “This creates a greater risk for plow trucks to safely and properly clear the streets.”

For the upcoming snowfall, the town has indicated that extra attention and enforcement will be required on Farmington Avenue from Riggs Avenue to the Hartford city line, on all cross streets off Farmington Avenue (east of Trout Brook Drive), South Quaker Lane (from Farmington to Flatbush avenues), and on Stevens Street

Off-street parking

When a parking ban is in effect, the online overnight parking omit system is also disabled and will remain disabled until the parking ban is lifted.

On-street parking is prohibited during the duration of the parking ban so that Public Works crews are able to remove snow from curb-to-curb – which is not possible when cars are parked there.

During the parking ban, residents can park in off-street lots, such as schools, as long as schools are closed for the day. For this storm, vehicles must be removed by 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10, the town stated.

Those using the lots are requested to park next to other cars – rather than leaving parking spaces between them – to assist Public Works in effectively clearing the lots.

Regular fees will be in effect at municipal lots and parking garages.

Enforcement

Cars left parked on the street during a parking ban will be ticketed, and may be towed. West Hartford Police will be assisting Public Works to keep the roads clear of illegally parked vehicles.

Snow removal contractors are reminded not to push snow from driveways and private parking lots into the street.

Sidewalks

Per town ordinance, West Hartford property owners are responsible for removing snow and ice from the sidewalk along their property line within 12 hours after the storm or by sunrise – whichever is later. Residents are required to keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice.

It’s particularly important to keep heavily-used sidewalks – those near schools, public buildings, and commercial areas – free and clear. Snow clearing violations should be reported to the West Hartford Police Department at 860-523-5203.

Hydrants

Residents are also asked to help out the West Hartford Fire Department and keep the community safe by shoveling the area around fire hydrants.

Check back regularly with We-Ha.com for updates and storm-related news.

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