Alternative Parking Options During Snow Clean-Up

With the huge amount of snowfall we have received during the last two weeks and are likely to continue receiving, and with Riley Plaza looking more like Ice Station Zebra than a parking lot,  you may have had trouble finding off-street parking during the snow emergencies. Here is a list of possible alternative locations. It never hurts to have a plan "B".

The City of Salem offers the following locations as alternative off-street parking options for residents as snow clean-up gets underway. Please note that parking in school lots is only permitted during snow emergencies. Once the snow emergency is lifted, cars must be removed from school lots. Park and playground parking lots and the Salem Wharf lot may continue to be used for alternative parking. In addition, Salem has added some additional options (see below) and reminds folks about the existing lots that can be used for off street parking, as follows:

Church Street parking lot

Residents may park for free here overnight (6pm to 7am). After 7am, regular lot rates will apply.

Universal Steel parking lot (297 Bridge Street)

Residents may park here for free. There will be no charge to park in this lot, pending further snow clean-up efforts. There are approximately 120 spaces here.

Salem Willows parking lot

DPW is performing additional plowing in this lot. There are approximately 125 spaces here. Meters will not be in effect.

Forest River Park

Currently a designated snow emergency lot. Parking may continue in this lot until further notice. There are approximately 30 spaces here.

Gallows Hill Playground lower lot

Currently a designated snow emergency lot. Parking may continue in this lot until further notice. There are approximately 70 spaces here.

Mack Park upper and lower lots

Currently a designated snow emergency lot. Parking may continue in this lot until further notice. There are approximately 35 spaces here.

Castle Hill Playground

Currently a designated snow emergency lot. Parking may continue in this lot until further notice. There are approximately 40 spaces here.

Blaney Street/Salem Wharf parking lot

Currently a designated snow emergency lot. Parking may continue in this lot until further notice. There are approximately 45 spaces here.


Good luck!

City of Salem Launches Snow Emergency Central Webpage & Call for Shovelers

The City of Salem has once again launched the Snow Emergency Central webpage on Salem.com – a comprehensive online directory for information related to snow emergencies and winter storms in Salem.
The webpage http://www.salem.com/Pages/snow/index can be accessed directly by clicking on the Snow Emergency Central icon located in the upper right hand corner of the Salem.com homepage.

Snow Emergency Central provides information on the following snow emergency and winter storm related resources:

• Current Snow Emergency Details
• Snow Emergency CodeRed Alert System Sign-Ups
• List of Snow Emergency Parking Locations (full lot listing and interactive map)
• 2014-2015 Snow Emergency Downloadable Brochure
• Salem Snow Shoveling Assistance Program (for elderly, infirm, or disabled residents)
• Salem Snow Shoveling Brigade
• SeeClickFix Winter Service Requests
• Snow Emergency Frequently Asked Questions
• Snow Rules and Regulations (for shoveling, plowing, and clearing of sidewalks, driveways, hydrants and catch basins)
• Winter Sand Acquisition

The City of Salem will also be working to try to clear snow from downtown crosswalks in a timely fashion this winter season. To that end, the City is seeking individuals interested in signing up for compensated work shoveling these critical pedestrian access points.
Those interested in signing up should visit the Salem Human Resources Office, 120 Washington Street, 4th floor, and bring a photo ID. The office is open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon.

City ordinances require all private property owners to remove snow and ice from their own bordering sidewalks within six hours after the snow stops falling or the City’s blue snow emergency lights are turned off, whichever time is later. If the snow stops falling and the emergency lights are turned off in the nighttime, the snow must be removed by noon the following day. Failure to do can result in fines from $25 to $100. While the City makes every effort to clear its pedestrian ways as soon feasible after a storm, it is important for property owners to clear their own sidewalks, as well. This will help prevent children, the elderly, and the general public from having to walk in the street.

The City of Salem also offers a Snow Shoveling Assistance Program to help elderly and infirmed residents connect with available shovelers in their neighborhood. Details about the program are available at http://www.salem.com/Pages/SalemMA_DPW/snowprogram.
The City of Salem has once again launched the Snow Emergency Central webpage on Salem.com – a comprehensive online directory for information related to snow emergencies and winter storms in Salem.

The webpage  http://www.salem.com/Pages/snow/index

CITY OF SALEM SNOW EMERGENCY INFORMATION

The new City of Salem Snow Emergency Information brochure is now available at this link here. This contains important information to help you through the coming WINTER.

SNOW EMERGENCY IN EFFECT FRIDAY FEBRUARY 8 @ NOON TIME

There will be a Snow Emergency in effect beginning at noon time on Friday, February 8, 2013.

Salem Public School will be closed on Friday.

Please remember that during the Snow Emergency a parking ban is in effect, and vehicles must be totally removed from city streets and sidewalks or your vehicle will be ticketed and towed.  Ticketing and Towing will begin at noon time and be strictly enforced due to the magnitude of this upcoming storm.

During this storm all downtown municipal lots* will be available for snow emergency parking at no charge and the Museum Place & South Harbor garage snow emergency parking fees will be capped at $5.00.  Please note that vehicles must be removed from public and private parking lots, particularly at schools, immediately following the cancellation of the snow emergency, weekends included.

* Municipal Lots include:

Crombie Street, Sewall Street, Riley Plaza, Church Street East & West,
One Salem Green, Front Street, Klop Alley and the municipal lot at the MBTA train station.

We would also like to ask for your assistance in shoveling your sidewalks, hydrants and catch basins near your property. Also, as a reminder it is a violation to plow or blow snow onto city streets.

For more snow emergency information click here for a copy of the City of Salem Snow Brochure.

Please consult the City of Salem's website www.salem.com or the Salem Police Department Snow Emergency line at 978-744-0171, ext. 166 for any updated snow information and for information when the snow emergency parking ban will end.

Once again, a snow emergency has been declared effective at noon time on Friday, February 8, 2013.

2013 Snow Brochure

The City of Salem has a brochure containing helpful information important information to
help you through the WINTER including snow emergency parking bans, alternative designated parking areas, snowplowing, cancellations, and other useful stuff. As they say in the brochure:
"Winter storms can provide tension and risk of injury to members of our community who must travel during storm conditions. The City of Salem wants to do all it can to reduce the likelihood of personal injury to our residents, automobile accidents and property damage by making the roadways as safe as possible under the worst of conditions. The City's goal is to quickly open the streets and make them passable so that essential traffic can safely negotiate roadways. Residents can help us do this by working together. This brochure provides you with information that will help you and the Department of Public Services (DPS) make the long winter months shorter than expected."

CLICK HERE FOR SNOW BROCHURE

SNOW EMERGENCY PARKING BANS

The City of Salem implements a snow emergency parking ban when it is felt that we are to receive two inches of snow accumulation. If there is a parking ban in effect, it will appear on www.salem.com and SATV, and an automated telephone message will be sent out through the City's CodeRED system. In addition, flashing blue lights will be activated throughout the city at the following locations: Loring Avenue @ Vinnin Square, Loring Avenue @ Canal Street, Lafayette Street @ Loring Avenue, Lafayette Street @ Washington Street, Bridge Street @ Webb Street, Bridge Street @ Washington Street, Boston Street @ Bridge Street, North Street @ School Street, Congress Street @ Palmer Street, Tremont Street @ School Street, Highland Avenue @ Salem Hospital, Jefferson Avenue @ Dove Avenue, North Street @ Essex Street and Canal Street @ Washington Street (Mill Hill).

As always, you may contact The Department of Public Services (978-744-3302) or the City of Salem Police Station (978-744-0171, ext. 166) to find out the status of the parking ban. Parking regulations are strictly enforced to ensure that streets remain accessible for snowplows, fire apparatus and other emergency vehicles. Any vehicle that impedes the snow removal process will be towed.

To sign up for CodeRED automated messages log onto www.salem.com and click on the 'CodeRED' icon on the left side of the home page, email DataProcessing@salem.com or call Data Processing Department at 978-619-5646. You may also obtain snow emergency information by becoming an E-Mail Subscriber to Salem.com News and Announcements, just log onto www.salem.com and click on the green 'E-Mail Subscriber' box.