Mayor Walsh declares snow emergency and parking ban Monday

Ha Ta, Editor-in-chief
February 1, 2021

Update: The snow emergency and parking ban currently in effect will be lifted at noon on Tuesday, the mayor announced. Residents who parked in discounted lots and garages will have until 2 p.m., Tuesday to move their cars before regular rates resume.

Mayor Martin Walsh on Sunday declared a snow emergency ahead of the forecasted winter storm scheduled to begin Monday morning and end Tuesday afternoon. Up to 12 inches of snow and winds as high as 45 miles per hour are expected. Dry weather, colder temperatures and wind chill, are anticipated on Wednesday and Thursday following the storm.

The city urges residents to follow snow rules and encourages commuters to be cautious when traveling on Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. A parking ban will take effect starting at noon (12p.m.) on Monday, according to the mayor’s office. Vehicles parked on major roads and main arteries or on a posted snow emergency artery will be towed.

2. Trash and recycling pick-up will continue on a regular schedule on Monday, Feb. 1, and Tuesday, Feb. 2, according to the mayor’s office. Residents can download the Trash Day App to their phones to get more information on their trash and recycling pick-up schedule.

3. Overnight street sweeping on main roads, arterials, and commercial roads is canceled until further notice. Updates on when night time street sweeping is scheduled to resume is on the city’s website, Boston.gov.

4. All Boston Public Schools (BPS) students, including students who were scheduled to report for in-person learning, will attend classes online on both Monday and Tuesday partially. Classes will end 2.5 hours earlier. All BPS buildings will be closed on those days. In-person learning will resume on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021.

5. Parking is not allowed in BPS school parking lots during snowstorms. Vehicles may be towed if they are parked here during the snow emergency.

6. BPS meal distribution sites will be open on Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BYCF) meal sites will be closed on Monday.

7. The city mobile COVID-19 testing site at the Anna M. Cole Community Center in Jamaica Plain will be closed on Monday.

8. The city COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center at Roxbury Community College is opening as scheduled on Monday and Tuesday for people with appointments.

Snow rules and safety information from the Mayor’s office

1. Property owners must fully clear snow, sleet and ice from sidewalks and curb ramps abutting the property within three hours after the snowfall ends or three hours after sunrise if the snow ends overnight.

2. Curb and pedestrian ramps to the street should be cleared fully and continually over the duration of the storm to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities. If a storm will last over an extended period of time, property owners are asked to continually check ramps abutting their property for compliance.

3. Removal of snow, ice from a private property to the street or sidewalk is prohibited.

4. Failure to comply with the rules can result in fines issued by the Public Works Department’s Code Enforcement Division. Fines associated with improper removal of snow can be found online.

Visit boston.gov for more information on the snow emergency in Boston.