From Mayor Bill Finch:
Mayor Bill Finch declared a Snow Emergency beginning at 5 p.m. today (Wednesday, March 6) to assist emergency responders and City public works crews in keeping streets clear in advance of the back-to-back storms that could drop up to six inches of snow along the shoreline during the next two days.
During the snow emergency, residents must move their cars off posted snow emergency streets. Alternate side of the street parking rules are in effect for all other streets throughout the City in order to allow snow plow drivers’ and emergency responders clear passage.
“This storm is expected to last through Friday morning with alternating periods of snow and rain, and should bring about 3-6 inches of snowfall,” said Mayor Finch. “We ask all residents to follow the alternate side of the street parking rules in order to keep the streets clear for our plow crews and emergency responders.”
Snow emergency streets are marked with white signs with red lettering. A list of snow streets can be found on the City’s website – www.bridgeportct.gov/content/89019/89753/95485/95497.aspx. No parking is allowed on snow emergency streets. Vehicles left on snow emergency streets after the ban goes into effect will be subject to fines and towing.
During the storm, residents may call 203.576.1311 with snow plowing concerns. Residents can use the City’s BConnected request system online at www.bridgeportct.gov/bconnected or on the BConnected mobile application available on iPhone or Android smartphones to report any snow-related concerns.
Latest weather forecasts project two storms hitting Connecticut on consecutive days. Rain will continue through this afternoon and change to snow this evening. The snowfall will continue overnight with estimated accumulation between one and three inches. Sustained winds of 15-20 mph are expected overnight with higher gusts possible; winds will pick up again Thursday afternoon through the evening with gusts up to 50 mph possible.
“We want to err on the side of caution. There is a potential for up to six inches of heavy, wet snow accumulation,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “Our plow drivers are ready.”
Residents should listen to local radio and TV stations for weather updates or cancellations.
What the snow emergency means:
o No parking is allowed on snow emergency streets. Residents must move their cars off posted snow emergency streets.
o Snow emergency streets are marked with white signs with red lettering. A list of snow streets can be found on the City’s website — www.bridgeportct.gov/content/89019/89753/95485/95497.aspx. No parking is allowed on snow emergency streets. Vehicles left on snow emergency streets after the ban goes into effect will be subject to fines and towing.
o Alternate Side of the Street Parking Rules are in effect during a snow emergency for all other streets throughout the city to allow plow drivers and emergency responders clear passage. Cars should be parked on the even side of the street (house numbers ending in 2,4,6,8,0) on even-numbered days of the week, and on the odd side of the street (house numbers ending in 1,3,5,7,9) on odd-numbered days of the week.
We’re talking Walmart dumb. lol
Is this emergency for this storm or the last storm when Finch and Carroll had left the building?
Jim,
I think Bill Finch has been too busy to write a report for the public on “WHAT I LEARNED FROM SNOWSTORM NEMO.” We must just wait for the weather of the next two days to observe his actions, determine what he is doing differently this time around, and then comprehend, I suppose.
However, if we have to “write the report for him” we now have seen Chapter 1, DECLARE THE SNOW EMERGENCY with complete details about odd and even numbered days of the week and house numbers. Be sure to cover fines for violations and towing fees! And remind people there are white signs on many streets with red printing identifying SNOW EMERGENCY STREETS. Etc. etc. etc.
Perhaps Chapter 2 will cover MEN AND MACHINES. How many personnel are posted where, with what priority streets until there is a “whiteout?” Then where do they go? And perhaps there will be a section on City equipment limitations with a “heavy snow” burden and the number of pieces of equipment not available because of issues from Nemo.
Chapter 3 may deal with FINANCING THE EMERGENCY and look at how far the city is buried in red ink from the last snowfall, where the Feds stand on that reimbursement, and what overall fiscal strategy is in place for this windy storm.
Chapter 4 will deal with SNOW JOB II–“Facing Public relations and communication issues.” He will share his fondest memories of the February storm with all who will listen to Elaine Ficarra emcee another listening session. (I’m sorry. That is not true. The listening session will not be necessary this time because “we learned so much” from the public after the first storm.) But he may post an emergency order to prevent citizens from carrying personal snow shovels onto public property while addressing the City Council, in particular.
Perhaps Mayor Bill will conclude the report with brief but upbeat statements about:
**The 2012 budget year was really a deficit (or was it a surplus). Confused? Have to ask Sherwood.
**A thank you to the City Council for authorizing $110,000,000 of Tax Anticipation Notes on the Consent Calendar this past Monday night without having seen any written info presented to Budget and Appropriations to inform them of details. Info was requested at that meeting (as it was last year by B&A) regarding interest rates, legal expenses, marketing costs, etc. and Finance said they would provide it, but an affirmative vote was made to place B&A approval on the Consent Calendar. Neither the Council nor the public are any wiser as to details of past or present TANs. This process is routine for this administration and makes it much easier to govern.
**And finally I expect Mayor Finch will share what is going on with the intersection of Public Safety actual overtime for the past 20 months running far ahead of budgeted appropriation, with CMERF action to move employees to State plan (but what will be done with current Pension B assets?), and rumors over 120 eligible police employees are waiting for something (?) to happen and then will submit retirement papers. This is a real story. Bring your shovel. Heavy lifting required.
Are we having fun yet? Any questions? Waiting for the next OFFICIAL listening session? Time will tell.
Don’t forget:
We want to err …
Famous Finch words … We want to err.
JML,
We’re Still Talking Walmart Dumb.
It’s the old adage, Finch better cover his ass on this one.
More idiocy from Bill Finch … he has to make sure the towing companies get to screw over financially pressed Bridgeporters …
What a joke … bans mean nothing if not enforced. Towing doesn’t screw people over, them not moving their cars for the greater good of their neighborhood is their own decision therefore they are screwing themselves if the city is forced to move their vehicle. It’s the age of accountability so get with it. There are plenty of places to park even if you don’t have personal off-street parking, the city provides a list of public lots. Parking on the road absolutely screws the plow teams … that is if the mayor is not sending them home early tonight in anticipation of fed dollars coming to the rescue.
A lot of those people who got towed had to get to work and got stuck … many of them were emergency workers or in health fields … I stand by my comments, they were screwed.
Did the Republican Party send their e-mail blast out yet commenting on the Snow Emergency plans? It always makes for good fictional reading and priceless comments.
Jim,
You are absolutely right. The Mayor declared a SNOW EMERGENCY last evening. Lo and behold, the roads were clear this morning, Thursday, so you could come to breakfast in Black Rock without missing a beat. And the Republicans didn’t send out an email blast! And the Mayor didn’t do the robo call to hardline phones! And good Democrats like you and me can thank the Lord above for taking care of the heavy lifting, just like in Jasper’s time, right? So what will happen tonight? Time will tell.
Went in for a checkup today and there was a ticket blitz on streets around St. V’s.
Hey flub,
If the Mayor declared a SNOW EMERGENCY every day … and if tickets were issued each time … and the tickets were paid fully and on time … (just thinking) … how long would it take to make up for the deficits caused by Police OT??? What is the formula for figuring that one out? Do we need a consultant at $200,000 or a new type of stun gun to settle civilian discontent? Would such emergency action increase bus ridership and sustainability? Time will tell.
*** SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE, NO? ***