Community Corner

SALEM STORM CENTER: Time to Clear Those Sidewalks

Check back here throughout the storm for updates on what's happening in Salem.


6:00 a.m.: 
Snow emergency ends in Salem. 

10:00 p.m.: 
A snow emergency is now in effect in Salem.

7:15 p.m.: 
The Salem School Committee meeting scheduled for tonight has been canceled.

7:00 p.m.: 
Salem public schools will be closed Wednesday.

6:15 p.m.:
Salem police and fire units are responding to a motor vehicle accident on Bridge Street. Scanner reports indicate that there were no injuries.

5:30 p.m.
: Plenty of parking spaces were available to commuters coming home to Salem at both of the city's parking garages. 

5:00 p.m.:
Snow begins to fall in Salem. 

3:05 p.m.:  
Gov. Deval Patrick announced that the State of the Commonwealth speech originally scheduled for Tuesday night will be postponed. A new date and time has not been announced.

12:30 p.m.: 
Snow emergency begins at 10 p.m.

11:15 a.m.: 
Both of the city's parking garages are full. Do you expect there will be more spaces this evening? Where are you going to put your car? Join the discussion here.

10:15 a.m.
: According to the National Weather Service, a Winter Storm Warning will go into effect in eastern Essex County at 1 p.m.

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The initial flakes will begin falling in Salem sometime this evening. 

Below is what you need to know about the upcoming winter storm. We will be updating this storm center article throughout the storm, so be sure to check back throughout.

Current Forecasts

How much snow is Salem expected to get Tuesday and Wednesday? Here are the projections as of Tuesday at 10 a.m.


Salem Emergency Contacts


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SIDEWALKS

The removal of the snow and ice from sidewalks is greatly appreciated. This will help school children, the elderly, and the general public from having to walk in the street. The City of Salem clears designated sidewalks following each storm. It takes time to accomplish this task and it is only done after all the roads have been cleared.

There are city ordinances requiring property owners to remove snow and ice from their bordering sidewalks within six hours after the snow ceases to fall or the city's snow emergency lights are turned off, whichever time is later. ~If the snow ceases to fall and the snow emergency lights are turned off in the nighttime, the snow shall be removed before 12:00 noon. If he/she neglects to do so, he/she shall be fined $25 for 1st offense, $75 for 2nd offense and $100 for 3rd and subsequent offenses.

DRIVEWAYS

While the Department of Public Services tries to minimize the amount of snow that gets plowed across driveways and exits, it is unavoidable. Clearing driveway openings is the responsibility of the property owner.Plow blades cannot be lifted as they pass by a driveway.Unfortunately, snow will be plowed into driveways as we perform curb-to-curb plowing.You may wish to clear your driveway several times during the storm or wait until the storm and plowing activities have ended.

Snowplowing, shoveling, or throwing snow back onto the street when clearing driveways and sidewalks is prohibited by City Ordinance and violators can be fined $75 for 1
st offense, $150 for 2nd offense and $200 for 3rd and subsequent offenses.

Salem's New Snow Emergency Parking Policy

Salem's parking garage parking rate during snow emergencies is flat fee of $5 for any period of time up to 24 hours.

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Be sure to follow Salem Patch on Twitter and Facebook throughout the storm as we'll have ongoing updates there as well.

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