NORTHAMPTON — Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra has declared a state of emergency and a snow emergency in advance of an approaching winter storm that’s expected to be one of the largest in a decade.
An on-street, citywide parking ban will begin Sunday at 1 p.m., and will remain in effect until further notice. The E.J. Gare Parking Garage and parking lots at Armory Street and Hampton Avenue are open and free for parking, also starting at 1 p.m. on Sunday until further notice.
Residents are reminded that vehicles will be towed to enable plowing operations. This declaration allows the city to fully mobilize resources to keep residents safe and streets passable during and after the storm, Sciarra said in a statement.
“We’ve got a significant winter storm on the way, and it looks like it’s going to be a bad one. The city is prepared to respond and to aid that effort I have taken the unusual step of declaring an emergency in advance of the storm to help the DPW’s efforts to plow the roads,” the mayor said.
Sciarra asked residents to stay off the roads, follow snow emergency parking rules, and give public works crews the space they need to clear streets safely. She also asked residents to check in on neighbors who may need help, and to clear sidewalks when it’s safe to do so.
Northampton Public Schools and the city’s non-public safety municipal offices will be closed on Monday.
Snow emergencies and alerts are posted at northamptonma.gov and on the city’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Residents will also receive CodeRED calls, texts, and emails (sign up HERE), and blue lights at 13 major intersections will activate during this time. The Snow Emergency Hotline at 413-586-6969 is available for recorded updates.
Residents are reminded that city rules require property owners to shovel sidewalks, including curb ramps/cuts, and to treat ice within 24 hours of a snowstorm (or by 9 a.m. the next business day in commercial districts) to avoid a $50 fine. Sidewalks and especially curb cuts may require attention more than once during a large storm, where plows make multiple passes on city streets.