New Bedford Parking Ban, Closures and City Services Update

The City of New Bedford continues its preparations for a significant winter storm and encourages residents to exercise caution as forecasts call for heavy snow and dangerously low temperatures. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Southern Bristol County including the City of New Bedford from 1:00 P.M. today, Tuesday, January 21, 2014 until 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday. A winter storm will bring the potential for heavy snow along with dangerously low wind chills and near blizzard conditions at times across portions of Massachusetts.

The forecast calls for heavy snow accompanied by blowing and drifting. Snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour are possible late this afternoon and into tonight. A total of 10-14 inches of snow accumulation is predicted for the Greater New Bedford Area.

Heavy snow and gusty winds will result in low wind chills along with considerable blowing and drifting snow. Poor visibility and blizzard conditions are expected at times. Travel may become impossible.

Citywide Snow Emergency Parking Ban as of 6 P.M. Today (Tues. Jan. 21st)
The City of New Bedford has announced a citywide snow emergency parking ban to take effect today (Tuesday, January 21, 2014) as of 6:00 P.M. The parking ban will remain in effect for 48-hours thereafter, unless lifted or further extended by City officials. The parking ban is designed to allow City workers to efficiently remove snow from New Bedford roadways to allow public safety vehicles and residents to travel safely.

While the snow emergency parking ban is in effect, parking is permitted on the side of the street that is opposite the fire hydrants. No vehicle should be parked on the same side of the street as a fire hydrant, except on streets that are regularly posted for parking on one side of the street only. In posted areas, residents are to obey the signs as usual.

The citywide parking ban will be double-sided in both the Acushnet Avenue Business District and the Downtown Business District. Downtown parking is available at no charge in the Elm Street and the Zeiterion Parking Garages.

Violations of this parking regulation will be subject to ticketing at $50 per ticket and towing at full cost to the owner of the vehicle towed. The vehicle owner is also responsible for the full cost of storage for any towed vehicle.

Alternate Parking Locations
The City of New Bedford has designated the following areas as preferred parking areas for those residents in need of off-street parking while the emergency snow parking ban is in effect:

• Victory Park – Brock Avenue
• Hazelwood Park – Brock Avenue
• Roosevelt Middle School – Brock Avenue and Dennis Street
• Cove Street Parking Lot – Cove Street and Morton Court
• Orchard Street at Camara Soccer Field
• Congdon School – Thompson and Hemlock Street
• Buttonwood Park Parking Area – Hawthorn Street Side and Lake Street Side
• Former St. Mary’s Home – Entrance on Mill Street
• Coggeshall Street Parking Lot – Coggeshall Street and Acushnet Avenue
• Sawyer Street Parking Lot – Between Sawyer Street and Beetle Street
• Brooklawn Park Parking Area – Brooklawn Street (South Side)
• Normandin Middle School – Tarkiln Hill Road
• Jireh Swift School – Tarkiln Hill Road
• Campbell School – Phillips Road
• Riverside Park Lot – Coffin Avenue
• Coffin Avenue Lot- Across from Taber Mills Apartments
• Alma del Mar Charter School (former Ottiwell School) – 26 Madeira Avenue
• Former AVX site on Bellville Avenue at Hadley Street
• Philips Avenue School – 249 Phillips Avenue
• DeValles School – 120 Katherine Street
• Parker School – 705 County Street
• Elm Street Garage
• Zeiterion Garage – 688 Purchase Street

New Bedford Public Schools Closed on Wednesday, January 22, 2014
New Bedford Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, January 22, 2014. The offices at the Administration Building, High School and Middle Schools will also be closed. New Bedford Public Schools after school and evening activities are also cancelled today, Tuesday, January 21st. Please monitor local media and the New Bedford Public Schools website http://www.newbedford.k12.ma.us/ for updates.

Multiple Municipal Closings on Wednesday, January 22, 2014
All New Bedford City offices will be closed on Wednesday, January 22, 2014, including City Hall, the public libraries, senior centers and the Buttonwood Park Zoo. New Bedford Regional Airport will remain in operation for as long as it remains safe. Passengers should contact their air carriers directly to confirm their flight status because widespread cancellations are expected.

Changes to Residential Trash Collection
While residential trash was collected today, there will be no residential trash collection tomorrow, Wednesday, January 22, 2014. Therefore, residents whose normal trash collection day is Tuesday should put their trash out on Thursday. And, residents who normally receive trash pickup on Wednesday should place their trash curbside on Friday. Trash normally collected on Thursday will be picked up on Saturday and trash normally collected on Friday route will be collected on Sunday. (Due to the holiday, ABC was already operating on a one-day delay; the current change will put in place a two-day delay.)

Sand Available to City Residents at Various Locations
The Department of Public Infrastructure has made sand available to city residents at additional locations throughout the city. Residents are advised to bring their own small container to collect the sand at any of the following locations:

• Norfolk St & Acushnet Ave
• Toby St & Acushnet Ave
• Manila St & Acushnet Ave
• Fire Station #5 –Acushnet Ave
• Phillips Rd & Pine Hill Dr
• Welby Rd, North Side, Between Two Buildings
• Essex St & Phillips Rd, Campbell School
• Saint Theresa’s Church – Acushnet Ave
• Balls Corner, Mill Rd & Belleville Ave
• Saint Mary’s School/Church –Illinois St
• Tarkiln Hill Rd & Acushnet Ave
• Police Station #3 – Ashley Blvd
• Wilks Library –Acushnet Ave & Princeton St
• Ashley Blvd & Princeton St
• Belleville Rd & Hope St
• Mount Pleasant St on Nash Rd Side (in place)
• Fire Station –Davis St & Acushnet Ave
• Deane St & Ashley Blvd
• Bullard St & Acushnet Ave
• Shawmut Diner, Between the Driveways
• Acushnet Ave & Sawyer St
• Sawyer St & Mount Pleasant St
• Beetle St & North Front St
• Beetle St & N. Front St
• Coggeshall St & Ashley Blvd
• Coggeshall & Purchase St
• 10 Kilburn St
• Purchase St & Logan St
• Rockdale Ave & Granit St
• Linden St & County St, South Side of Linden St
• Fire Station #7 –Durfee St & Cottage St
• Durfee St & Shawmut Ave
• Red Cross, Rockdale Ave & Durfee St
• Purchase St & Wamsutta Ave
• Sacred Heart Nursing Home, Studley St & Summer St, On West Side
• Merrimac St & County St
• 1554 Purchase St, Fire Repair
• Pleasant St & Pope St
• Parker St & County St, East Side of County St
• Parker St & Rockdale Ave
• Pleasant St & Pearl St
• Purchase St & Campbell St
• Cottage St & Campbell St
• Sycamore St & State St
• County St & Sycamore St
• Pleasant St, Rear Lot of Fire Prevention
• Maxfield St & Pleasant St
• E.M.T.S. Chancery St, Inside Parking Area
• Summer St & Hillman St
• Ash St & Hillman St
• Fire Station #2 –Pleasant St
• County St & North St
• Pope’s Island Marina
• Third District Court, North Side of Kempton St
• Liberty St & Kempton St
• Pleasant St & Middle St
• South Sixth St & Middle St
• County St & Middle St
• Elm St Garage, On Acushnet Ave
• Buttonwood Library
• Pier 3 –Visitors Center
• South Water & Hamilton St
• William St & Acushnet Ave, Custom House Square
• City Hall, Pleasant St Side
• Centre St & Front St
• Market St & Sixth St
• Second St & Union St
• Union St & Acushnet Ave
• Purchase St & Union St
• Eighth St and Union St
• County St & Union St
• Spring St & Pleasant St
• Zeiterion Garage, Acushnet Ave Entrance
• School St & Purchase St
• School St & Sixth St
• School St & County St
• Walnut St & Acushnet Ave
• Maple St & Atlantic St
• Maple St & Reed St
• Madison St & County St
• Fire Museum, Bedford St & Sixth St
• Page St & Bedford St
• Wing St & Acushnet Ave
• Wing St & County St
• Fair St & County St
• Fire Station #6, Purchase St
• Thompson St & Crapo St
• County St & Rivet St
• Bonney St & Rivet St
• Bolton St & Rivet St
• Delano St & South First St
• Jouvette St & Bonney St
• Howland Green Library, Driveway, Rodney French Blvd
• Rockdale Ave & Dartmouth St
• Fire Station #11, Brock Ave & Mott St
• Willard St & West Rodney French Blvd
• Clegg Field, Brock Ave
• Brock Ave & Portland St
• Wastewater Treatment Plant, Community Center
• South Rodney French Blvd, Cable Access Building

Pilgrim United Church to Open as Emergency for Unsheltered Residents
Pilgrim United Church (634 Purchase Street) will open as of 7:00 P.M. today, Tuesday, January 21, 2014 for unsheltered residents. The Church will be equipped with staff, food, and cots.

SRTA to Continue Normal Operations Today
Weather permitting, the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority will continue to run regularly scheduled service through this evening Tuesday, January 21, 2013. However, a delay in service is possible tomorrow morning and should be anticipated. Residents may call 508-999-5211 or visit www.srtabus.com for updated information about the status of SRTA services.

New Bedford Hurricane Barrier Navigation Gate Information
The Army Corps will review storm conditions for this evening’s high tide at 11:33 P.M. and again tomorrow morning 11:53 A.M. and will make a decision whether to close the gates based on the surge. Conditions are subject to rapid change. Vessel owners and operators should monitor Coast Guard radio frequencies (Channel 16, Switch to 22) for real time information.

Winter Weather Preparedness Tips for Residents and Business Owners
Residents and business owners are advised to review the Winter Weather Tips available on the city webpage (www.newbedford-ma.gov), and to take proactive steps to prepare for the major winter storm.

Important Emergency Contact Numbers

• To report a downed power line, medical, fire or other emergencies please dial 911.
• NSTAR is prepared to address and damage and outages resulting from the storm and encourages customers whose electric service is affected to call 1-800-592-2000. NSTAR strongly urges people to stay away from all down wires and to report them immediately.
• To report snow removal issues on city streets, residents may contact the Department of Public Infrastructure at (508) 991-6150
• New Bedford Police Department may also be reached on its Non-emergency line at (508) 991-6350
• Please visit the City’s website at www.newbedford-ma.gov for more information and updates from the City of New Bedford regarding the snowstorm.