Citizens Reminded of Snow Procedures
December 14, 2009
Contact: Lori Tretter 419-354-6204
City Reminds Citizens of Snow Procedures
BOWLING GREEN—With the arrival of the cold-weather season, citizens are reminded of city regulations regarding parking on designated snow streets and the requirement to remove snow and ice from sidewalks.
A “Snow Emergency” can be declared if snow, ice or sleet is forecast and, in any case, will automatically become effective without a declaration when the snow depth reaches two inches. The “Snow Emergency” shall continue until a termination announcement is made.
Once a “Snow Emergency” goes into effect, whether by declaration or because the snow level has reached two inches, those with vehicles parked on designated snow streets are required to take action to remove their vehicles.
“Snow Streets” are designated throughout the City and marked with blue and white signs. A listing of snow streets has been published in the newspaper and is also available on the city’s website at www.bgohio.org.
If a snow emergency becomes effective between the hours of 7:00 am and 9:00 pm, vehicles parked on the street must be removed within two hours following the effective time of the emergency. If a snow emergency is put into effect between the hours of 9:00 pm and 7:00 am, the vehicles must be removed from the snow street by the 9:00 am following.
Recently, the City has been reviewing its response to vehicles which are not removed in a timely manner from designated snow streets. The City has developed a response protocol for encouraging compliance with these important regulations.
“Clearing designated snow streets is important for public safety,” John Fawcett, Municipal Administrator, explains. “There are several reasons why adherence to these regulations is imperative.”
“Our clearing operation is significantly more efficient and effective when we plow on a street cleared from parked vehicles. Because snow and ice can cause dangers for the public and for our emergency response vehicles, we want to clear the streets as well and as quickly as we can,” Fawcett says.
While citizens are asked to be proactive in knowing if they live and park on a snow street, the City anticipates taking measures to ensure the removal of vehicles.
“The problem of vehicles remaining on designated snow streets has been reported increasingly by our employees who clear the street and our public safety forces,” Fawcett explains. “Therefore, it may be necessary for more tickets and towing of vehicles to occur this year. While we will make efforts to educate the public and issue warnings, particularly during the first snow emergency, we do anticipate increasing enforcement with citations and even having vehicles towed from snow streets.”
“The easiest thing for people to do,” Fawcett suggests, “is to make provisions to get cars off of the street when significant snow is forecasted or occurs. That way, the roads will be cleared more quickly and we can all resume normal activity.”
Residents are also reminded that all property owners are required to clear snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their premises within twenty-four hours after the abatement of any storm during which such snow and ice have accumulated. Failure to clear sidewalks may result in a citation. In addition, the City will have its contractor clear the sidewalk and bill all incurred costs to the property owner.
“Our purpose in enforcing these regulations,” Fawcett concludes, “is to improve safety in Bowling Green. We want to promote safe travel for those walking, driving, and those needing safety services.”
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