Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Parking will be allowed on the streets but emergency vehicles must be able to get down roadways.
The parking ban imposed after the Blizzard of 2013 in Watertown ends Tuesday at 4 p.m., Police Chief Edward Deveau announced. The Watertown Police Department sent out reverse 911 phone messages and a Twitter message announcing the end of the parking ban. Here is the text of the message: Chief Deveau would like to announce that Superintendent of Public Works Gerald Mee is lifting the parking ban effective today at 4pm. However, whereas the side streets are still very narrow and travel can be difficult, any vehicle parked which is impeding emergency vehicles or any other traffic may still be subject to tow. The parking ban went into effect Friday before the storm hit, and has been in effect. Get Breaking News alerts sent to your inbox, …
The large amount of snow has slowed efforts to clear the town's streets and sidewalks.
Drivers likely have to wait until Wednesday, if not longer, to park on the streets of Watertown. Public Works Superintendent Gerald Mee said his crews have had a tough time removing the large amount of snow from the Blizzard of 2013, which just got heavier with Monday's rain. "We had a meeting (Monday) and we are continuing the Snow Emergency until further notice," Mee said. "We will evaluate it in a couple days." Mee said he wants to make sure the streets are wide enough for fire vehicles to get down, in case of an emergency. The snow mounds make the streets much narrower, Mee said. "On some streets you have a car park on one side and another on the other side and the entire street," Mee said. Crews will also make clearing snow from …
Monday, February 11, 2013
We've got some rough estimates, but we need your measurements!
There's no doubt about it — the recent blizzard left quite a bit of snow for Watertown to clean up. But how much snow? Although the National Weather Service does not have an exact total for Watertown, snowfall amounts have been recorded for several surrounding towns, including Waltham, Brookline, Wellesley and West Roxbury. Averaging the snowfall provided by towns that border Watertown (Belmont, Waltham and Cambridge), the town likely received around 25 inches, or just over two feet. Did you take snowfall measurements in Watertown? How much snowfall did the city get? Tell us in the comments section below! In the meantime, here are the snowfall amounts for the nearby cities and towns (provided by the National Weather Service): For more …
Decision on lifting the ban could be made after Town officials meet Monday morning.
The earliest the Watertown's parking ban will be lifted is Monday morning, but it could last longer. Town officials will meet Monday morning to discuss the how the clean up of Watertown's streets after the Blizzard of 2013, said Public Works Superintendent Gerald Mee. "The parking ban is still in effect because of the narrow streets," Mee said. "We need to keep them free of cars so fire vehicles can get through, and for garbage trucks." Sidewalks have proven particularly difficult, Mee said, because of the depth of the snow. "It is extremely difficult. There is no sidewalk tractor that can deal with 4 and 5 feet of snow drifts," Mee said. "And there is no where for the snow to go, it is so high." The first priority for sidewalks will be …
Sunday, February 10, 2013
The heavy snow stopped early on Saturday, but there was plenty of work digging out from under the piles of snow.
[Updated Sunday, 2:20 p.m.] Stores and restaurants that have opened have plenty of business today. The Watertown and Arsenal Malls are both open. A quick survey of town found that Deluxe Town Diner, Miller's Ale House, Uncommon Grounds are open and Strip T's opens at 3 p.m. Still no word on whether schools will be open Monday. [Updated Sunday, 9:35 a.m.] Stores and restaurants are reopening after the storm, but getting there may be a challenge. The MBTA said it would be reopening Monday, but the system won't be running Sunday. The Arsenal Mall opens today at 11 a.m., according to the mall website. Strip T's announced on Twitter that it will be open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Uncommon Grounds is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The parking ban due…
Light, fluffy snow on rooftops can act as a sponge for rain, which is in the forecast for Monday. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency offers these tips.
With rain in Watertown's forecast for Monday, the Blizzard of '13 may not be finished wreaking havoc in Massachusetts. While temperatures dropped overnight on Friday resulting in light, fluffy snow, he Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) warns that fluffy snow piled high on roofs can act as a sponge, absorbing rain and adding additional stress to structures. Relatively flat roofs are particularly vulnerable, MEMA says. In other cases, roof ice dams have formed causing water build-up, leading to interior damage. These conditions can accelerate the snowmelt. To minimize the risk of over-stressing a building roof due to accumulated or drifting snow: Information from a release by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA…
Saturday, February 9, 2013
The power line fell across the plow truck during the height of the blizzard on Friday.
A Watertown Public Works plow driver got trapped in his truck Friday night when a live wire fell across the truck as he drove down Orchard Street near the playground at Victory Field. The Watertown Fire Department responded to the call at about 9:30 p.m. Friday, said Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Tardiff. "When we arrived we found a DPW truck with a live power line across the truck," Tardiff said. "The driver was still in the truck." Firefighters could not immediately get the driver out, Tardiff said. "He had to stay in the truck until NStar came and disconnected power," Tardiff said. The driver had to wait about half an hour, Tardiff said. "He was fine," Tardiff said. "He stayed in the truck, which was the right thing to do." The call came in…
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Victory Field
40 Orchard St, Watertown, MA
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Friday, February 8, 2013
Chief Mario Orangio asks residents to stay off the roads and to clear snow from around fire hydrants.
Watertown Fire Chief Mario Orangio asks residents to take caution and stay off the roads during the Blizzard of 2013. A snow emergency starts at noon Friday and remains in effect until further notice. For more information on the emergency click here. "Residents are urged to remain in doors during the storm and should refrain from driving so that roads can remain clear for snow removal and emergency vehicles," Orangio said in an announcement. "The town asks that you be a good neighbor and to periodically check on elderly or incapacitated neighbors." Residents can help the Fire Department by clearing snow from around fire hydrants on their street, Orangio said. Fire Lt. Thomas Thibaut, president of the firefighters union, urged people to …
The snow is coming, and Patch wants to see your photos!
One of the biggest storms in years will hit Watertown Friday and Saturday, and we want to see what it looks like around Watertown during the blizzard. You can upload your photos of snow drifts and conditions during Nemo, as the storm has been dubbed by the Weather Channel. After the storm, add pics of snowmen, sledding as well as places that need to be shoveled or plowed. The town has a ordinance requiring businesses to shovel their sidewalks, and residents are supposed to clear their walks, too. See a troubled spot, put up a photo and let us know where it is. All you have to do is hit the "Upload Photos and Videos" button above the picture and add your pics. Follow the latest on the storm in the Watertown Patch Storm Center.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
The Public Works, Police and Fire departments called the snow emergency.
Watertown will be under a Snow Emergency beginning Friday at noon because of the blizzard due to hit town Friday and Saturday. Public Works Superintendent Gerald Mee, along with the police and fire departments, declared the Snow Emergency. No end date was announced, so the Snow Emergency will last until further notice. During the ban, parking will not be allowed on the street. Those needing a parking spot can park in municipal lots (including in Watertown Square behind CVS) in school lots, at the Police Station and other locations. See the release below for more information about the Snow Emergency. For up-to-the-minute news on this and other stories follow Watertown Patch on Twitter and Facebook or subscribe to the free email newsletter. …
Steven Cavaretta
7:56 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
"We had a meeting" C'mon Gerry, less pizza and donuts more action. "Sidewalks are the biggest challenge" This is news to a Superintendent with 20 years experience? Bottom line, pray for warm weather, the WDPW could care less. more ›