Winter storm ordinance, precautions

#Middlebury #WinterStorm

Middlebury Police Chief Fran Dabbo issued the following memo reminding residents of the town’s winter storm parking ordinance and precautions to keep in mind during and after a snow storm.

Winter weather conditions present several challenges that do not exist at other times of the year. The Middlebury Police Department and The Middlebury Public Works Department wish to remind town residents of the shared effort necessary to keep town roads safe.

SNOW AND ICE CONDITIONS: The Public Works Department strives to keep town roads open and passable during and after winter storms. For everyone’s safety travelers who use town roads are expected to exercise due care and reasonable caution.

PARKING BAN: In an effort to keep town roads passable during and after winter storms, the Town of Middlebury has adopted a Town Ordinance establishing a winter parking ban. “No vehicle may stand or park on any highway of the Town is such a manner as to constitute a hazard or obstruction to traffic during the time of falling snow, sleet, or freezing rain, or to hamper or interfere the effective removal, plowing, or sanding of snow or ice on said highway. Any vehicle so standing or parked is hereby declared to be a menace to traffic and dangerous to the general welfare of the public”.

Owners who park their vehicles in violation of this ordinance shall be fined not less than twenty ($20) dollars nor more than thirty-five ($35) dollars. In addition vehicles may be towed at the owner’s expense in accordance with Section 14-150 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

ADDITIONAL WINTER CONSIDERATIONS

ROADSIDE BASKETBALL HOOPS: A possible hazard exists when portable basketball hoops are placed on the side of the roadway. The hoop can extend into the travel lane and can cause damage to passing vehicles or snow removal equipment. Now that winter has arrived, residents are required to remove these poles or at a minimum move them well off of the road. The Town is responsible for removing snow to the curb or the edge of the pavement.

MAILBOXES: Before the ground freezes solid, please take a few minutes to make sure your mailbox is securely fastened to a sturdy post which is securely anchored into the ground and will withstand the impact of snow or slush cascading off of plows.

SNOW BANKS: Children often like to play in the snow piles on the side of the road or at the end of a road.  Although these snow piles make an attractive recreation area, plow truck drivers may not see children playing, especially if it is snowing. Creating caves or tunnels in snow banks is very dangerous as they can be struck by a snow plow or collapse. Also the openings may get covered by additional tons of snow being plowed from the road.

ROADSIDE PARKING: When weather permits and vehicles are parked on the side of a road, operators are reminded that vehicles are to be parked facing the direction of traffic flow. Vehicles should not be parked facing the wrong way toward traffic.