Winter Storm: Arlington Info Center

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Snow & Ice Information from the Town of Arlington.

Monday, Feb. 11—

5:23 p.m. The Arlington Public Schools will be open Tuesday. Students will be dismissed at 1 p.m.

4:10 p.m.

Morning Briefing

Schools

Arlington Public Schools, Arlington Catholic and St. Agnes are all closed today.

The town’s public schools are closed because there is still clearing that needs to be done in front of and around schools, Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine said Sunday. He also said snow banks near crosswalks have to be lowered to make walks to school safer. “We don’t want kids coming out behind a large snow pile,” he said.

The town and district will meet today to reassess the situation and determine if there will be school on Tuesday, according to Chapdelaine.

As it stands now, the last day of school will be Thursday, June 27 (yes, just one week before the Fourth of July), School Committee member Paul Schlichtman said Sunday. In addition to today, the district closed twice during Hurricane Sandy and this past Friday.

Arlington Catholic has said that classes will resume Tuesday.

Trash

There won’t be trash or recycling collection today, and there will be a one-day delay the rest of the week, with Friday’s pickup happening Saturday.

For missed pickups, call JRM directly at 1-800-323-4285.

East Arlington Parking Ban

The town’s parking ban has been lifted for all roads west of Route 60, Mass. Ave. and municipal lots. However, it remains in place for East Arlington because the roads there are still too narrow, Chapdelaine said.

If cars were to park in East Arlington, emergency vehicles might not be able to pass in some areas and the widening, or “push-back,” efforts would not be able to continue today, he said. The town’s crews started the widening efforts at the Lexington town line Sunday morning, he said. The ban in East Arlington will be reassessed sometime today, he said.

Other

Robbins Library is up and running on its normal hours, as is Town Hall, and the Board of Selectmen’s meeting is all set to go at 7:15 p.m. tonight (meeting preview).

Sledding Forecast

Unfortunately, the sledding forecast is not looking so good. It’s expected to rain all day with a high near 44. I’m sure some will still tough it out at Robbins Farm Park.

Morning Links

How would you rate Arlington’s plowing during the blizzard of 2013?

PHOTOS: Blizzard of 2013 in Arlington

YouTube: Two Blizzard Timelapses and a Snow Belly Flop

Avoid a Roof Collapse: Clear Snow From Your Rooftop

Sunday, Feb. 10—

5:30 p.m. Arlington Center Starbucks is closing at 6 p.m. today.

4:25 p.m. Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine told Arlington Patch at 4:05 p.m. Sunday that the town’s public schools will be closed Monday because there is still clearing that needs to be done in front of and around schools to improve access.

He said snow banks near crosswalks also have to be lowered to make walks to school safer. “We don’t want kids coming out behind a large snow pile,” he said.

The town and district will reassess the situation Monday to determine if there will be school on Tuesday, Chapdelaine said.

The last day of school is now Thursday, June 27, according to School Committee member Paul Schlichtman. The district closed twice during Hurricane Sandy and this past Friday.

Arlington Catholic and St. Agnes will also be closed Monday. Arlington Catholic has said that it will be open Tuesday.

The parking ban remains in effect for East Arlington (roads east of Route 60, except for Mass. Ave.) until further notice because the roads are still too narrow, Chapdelaine said. If cars were to park there, emergency vehicles might not be able to pass in some areas and the widening, or “push-back,” efforts would not be able to continue Monday, he said. The town's crews started the widening efforts at the Lexington town line this morning, he said. The ban will be reassessed sometime Monday, he said.

For the rest of the town, the parking ban will be lifted at 6 p.m. this evening, he said.

Town offices will be open Monday, and the Board of Selectmen’s meeting, which starts at 7:15 p.m. Monday, is still on.

3:50 p.m. The Arlington Public Schools are closed Monday, and there will be no trash collection. In East Arlington, the parking ban remains in effect until further notice. For the rest of the town, it's over at 6 p.m. this evening (it's already been lifted on Mass. Ave.). Read more.

2:25 p.m. How would you rate Arlington's plowing during the blizzard?

Saturday, Feb. 9—

7:15 p.m. Arlington’s parking ban is still in effect – however, parking is now allowed on Mass. Ave. and in municipal lots.

Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine told Arlington Patch at 6:45 p.m. this evening that after Department of Public Works crews get back out in the morning, he will meet with DPW Director Michael Rademacher around midday to discuss the ban. A lot will depend on if the town needs to truck snow out of town, which would delay the ban being lifted, Chapdelaine said.

Most of the town’s crews came off the roads at about 6 p.m. this evening to get some rest. When they go back out at dawn, in addition to further clean-up operations, they’ll be pushing back snow with plows to make sure the roadways are as wide as possible. The snow will unfortunately go back into residents’ driveways and sidewalks, Chapdelaine said.

“We ask residents for their patience,” he said.

Chapdelaine said he is still planning to meet with Superintendent Kathleen Bodie on Sunday to discuss the possibility of school on Monday. The main issues will be clear pathways to school and drifting snow, he said.

The town’s goal is to have Robbins Library open from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, but that decision will be finalized in the morning, Chapdelaine said.

From earlier: “The Town would like to remind residents as they clear public sidewalks and driveways not to move snow into the roadways in accordance with Town bylaws. Other ways to help with clean-up efforts include shoveling out fire hydrants by your property or that of a neighbor and clearing any catch basins near your property. Arlington Fire Department encourages residents to adopt a fire hydrant this winter.

“For additional Snow and Ice Information including Snow Removal Procedures, Policies, Tips and Snow & Ice Dispatch visit http://www.arlingtonma.gov/snow.”

4 p.m. Stop & Shop is now open.

3:40 p.m. Key points to know:

• The Town of Arlington is lifting the parking ban on Mass. Ave. and municipal lots at 5 p.m. this evening. The ban will remain in effect for all other roadways.

• The statewide driving ban is being lifted at 4 p.m.

• The MBTA will remain shut down throughout Saturday, and it does not yet have an estimate for when service will resume.

• Mail will not be delievered today.

2:20 p.m. Acitrón Cocina Mexicana is opening at 6 p.m. tonight.

2:15 p.m. The latest from the Town of Arlington:

Snow Operations and Residential Parking Ban Continue To Sunday

Public Works continues major snow removal operations opening roads,
getting roadways passable, and treating surfaces. Roadways are still
narrow and there is more to be done. Public Works will break from major
operations overnight and resume removal operations early Sunday morning
with a “full push back effort” Town-wide to widen roadways. This may
result in snow being pushed back into driveways and sidewalks. This is
unavoidable. We ask residents and businesses for their understanding and
to work with us as we all clean up after this major storm event.

• The Governor has announced the lifting of the travel ban for 4 p.m. on February 9th.
• The Town will lift the parking ban on Mass. Ave. and municipal lots at 5 p.m. on February 9th.
• Because snow operations are not yet complete, the residential parking ban will remain in effect.

Public Safety Officials remind residents that roadways are still narrow
and snow operations are not completed. Extreme caution is recommend if you
feel the need to drive.

The Town would like to remind residents as they clear public sidewalks and
driveways not to move snow into the roadways in accordance with Town
bylaws. Other ways to help with clean-up efforts include shoveling out
fire hydrants by your property or that of a neighbor and clearing any
catch basins near your property. Arlington Fire Department encourages
residents to adopt a fire hydrant this winter.

Please check in with your neighbors who may need extra assistance.

For additional Snow and Ice Information including Snow Removal Procedures,
Policies, Tips and Snow & Ice Dispatch visit http://www.arlingtonma.gov/snow.

Your cooperation helps keep Arlington a safe place for all.

1:10 p.m. Gov. Deval Patrick announced on Twitter that the statewide driving ban has been lifted immediately for Nantucket County and all communities west of I-91. The ban will be lifted statewide at 4 p.m.

9:50 a.m. Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine told Arlington Patch at about 9:25 a.m. this morning that there have been no incidents in town thus far as a result of this weekend’s blizzard – other than a small power outage last night, which affected about 45 residents at its peak, from 10-11 p.m.

He said the town’s snow emergency/parking ban is still in effect (as is the statewide driving ban) and that he’ll be coordinating with Department of Public Works Director Michael Rademacher and Arlington Police Chief Frederick Ryan throughout the day to determine when/if the emergency and ban will be lifted. He said the town may lift the parking ban only on Mass. Ave. later today – but that wasn’t certain.

Chapdelaine, who went out on the roads this morning with town crews, said DPW workers had trouble keeping up with the blizzard through the night but are “making progress this morning.”

“Our goal is to start making the roads black,” he said.

The main focus today will be on the roads, Chapdelaine said, with the town getting to sidewalks and walkways Sunday. On Sunday, he is planning to meet with Arlington Superintendent Kathleen Bodie to discuss the possibility of school on Monday.

The town’s Emergency Operations Center has not been activated, Chapdelaine said. The center is used for storms that require constant coordination among the town’s agencies, such as a hurricane or microburst, and this blizzard has been led by the town’s DPW. 

8:23 a.m. Any Arlington businesses open, planning to open today? Let us know by posting a comment below or emailing Arlington Patch Editor John Waller at john.waller@patch.com.

8 a.m. The statewide travel ban is still in effect. NECN is reporting that MBTA service will not be restored today. The goal is Monday, but the MBTA will be evaluating later today, according to NECN.

Morning update: Arlington is still under a snow emergency/parking ban -- we'll send out a breaking news alert as soon as we hear the ban has been lifted.

It's expected to snow until about 8 p.m. tonight, according to the Weather Channel. However, the heavy snow should be over by 11 a.m. It's expected to hover around 20 degrees all day.

The Robbins Library many local businesses, especially in the morning.

Morning links: Upload your blizzard photos to our gallery, see how much snow has fallen in Arlington and join our live chat.

Friday, Feb. 8—

11:20 p.m. Power has been restored in Arlington.

11 p.m. Forty-five Arlington residents currently don't have power. Statewide, some 190,000 residents are without, according to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.

1:50 p.m. Share your blizzard photos, join our live chat and see how much snow has fallen thus far.

12:50 p.m. Gov. Deval Patrick, "I have signed an executive order banning vehicle traffic after 4 p.m. today."

A handful of important reminders to start your day:

• Trash will be collected this morning.

• Arlington's snow emergency/parking ban starts at 2 p.m. today. The ban, which applies to all streets and municipal lots, will be lifted when conditions allow.

• Arlington Public Schools, Arlington Catholic and St. Agnes School are all closed today.

• The Robbins Library will close at noon today and will be closed all day Saturday.

• Gov. Deval Patrick has asked drivers to be off the road by noon today.

• The MBTA is shutting down everything (bus, subway and commuter rail) at 3:30 p.m. today.

• Arlington Recreation's 2013 Daddy Daughter Dance, scheduled for this evening, has been postponded to Friday, March 22. It's still from 6-8 p.m. at Ottoson Middle School. The Bay State Skating Program and recreational basketball program, set for Saturday, have been canceled.

• The Regent Theatre has canceled two shows and postponed another (see below).

Thursday, Feb. 7—

6:23 p.m. The Town of Arlington has declared a snow emergency/parking ban, effective 2 p.m. Friday. Trash will be collected Friday, and the DPW and Recreation administrative offices will close at noon Friday. Read more.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has asked drivers to be off the road by noon Friday.

5:45 p.m. The MBTA has suspended service on all lines effective 3:30 p.m. Friday. This includes everything -- the bus, subway and commuter rail.

5:08 p.m. The Robbins Library will be closing at noon Friday and all day Saturday.

5 p.m. The Regent Theatre has canceled the following shows: Friday night's Peter Gabrial film and Saturday morning's Gustafer Yellowgold's show (he'll be back in the fall). Saturday evening's Rebecca Parris Trio concert has been postponed until Saturday, Feb. 23, at 8 p.m. As of this time, the Sunday afternoon Elvis Tribute show is still on. Call the Regent's box office, 781-646-4849, for refunds or exchanges.

4 p.m. The Arlington Public Schools will be closed Friday.

3:10 p.m. Arlington Recreation's 2013 Daddy Daughter Dance, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 8, has been postponed to Friday, March 22 (due to the impending blizzard and then facility conflicts and February school vacation). The dance will still be held at the Ottoson Middle School, from 6-8 p.m.

Arlington Recreation has canceled both the Bay State Skating Program and recreational basketball program set for Saturday, Feb. 9, as well.

2:54 p.m. A comment from Marianne, "Just got back from Market Basket (in Burlington). The lines for the registers began at the back of the store at the meat section, across the back as far as the fruit section, then did a loop (still in the back of the store). A store employee was at the end of each aisle, directing people onto an aisle. We then worked our way up the aisle in line, and were assigned to the back of a line leading to a register. I had to park down by the Chateau. I can't imagine what it will be like tonight!!! I was determined Stop & Shop or Whole Foods was not going to get my business, just because there is a storm coming. I will not be forced to pay their ridiculous prices. I would imagine there were a lot of Arlington residents there."

2:37 p.m. Arlington Catholic is closed Friday.

1:30 p.m. St. Agnes School is closed Friday.

12:35 p.m. The latest snowfall predictions for Arlington.

Latest Forecasts

• 7 News Boston
• CBS Boston
• News Center 5 Boston
• Fox 25 News Boston

• The Weather Channel’s "Winter Storm Nemo" Hub
• The Weather Channel’s Arlington Forecast
• The National Weather Service (Live Radar and Arlington Forecast)

How to Stay Connected in Arlington

• Sign up for Arlington Patch’s breaking news alerts, “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

• Comment on this article if you see any storm-related damage or other situations developing around town. Also, be sure to alert the proper authorities (see below).

• The town will post urgent public safety announcements: online on the town website and via its Arlington Alerts system. Residents are strongly advised to sign up for Arlington Alerts. If you have received an automated call from the town, you are already in the system and no further action is required. If you haven’t or are not sure, register here.

Important Numbers to Have on Hand

(Arlington Emergency Management recommends that you take down or print these numbers, so you have them handy in the event of a power outage.)

• For life-threatening emergencies, call 911.

• For downed electrical wires, call 911 and NSTAR at 1-800-592-2000.

• For non-life-threatening emergencies, such as flooding, call Community Safety dispatch at 781-643-1212. 

• For downed tree limbs, call Public Works dispatch at 781-316-3301.

• Report power outages directly to NSTAR at 1-800-592-2000.

Safety Tips Regarding Electricity and Power Outages

• Stay away from downed wires. Assume all downed wires are “live” and call 911 and NSTAR at 1-800-592-2000. 

• Report power outages directly to NSTAR at 1-800-592-2000.

• Be careful never to leave open flames unattended.

• Turn off major appliances and electronics during the outage to guard against damage when the power comes back on. Leave one light switched on as a signal for when the power is restored.

• Surge protectors, which are available at local electronics stores, can protect sensitive equipment during an outage and when power is restored.

• For more electrical safety tips, visit NSTAR’s Storm Center.