Area towns prepare for snow with school closings, parking bans

Municipalities in the region tried Monday to get ready for the first potentially significant snowstorm of the winter.

Gary Lessor, chief meteorologist with the Western Connecticut State University Weather Center, said snow was expected to develop after 7 p.m. Monday with heavier snowfall at times throughout the night. He added there will be wind gusts from the northeast of up to 35 mph.

Lessor said statewide snowfall will measure 4 to 8 inches, however the immediate shoreline will likely get 3 to 6 inches. He said the snow will transition early today into rain with lingering showers ending by late afternoon.

Eversource in a statement Monday said it is prepared to respond to any storm-related damage to the electric system or power outages. The company said it is bringing in hundreds of additional crews as well as checking equipment and supplies and is encouraging customers to prepare for outages.

Steve Sullivan, the company’s president of Connecticut operations, said crews will be placed around the state before the storm hits so they can quickly respond. But he reminded customers the snow and wind could cause visibility issues and travel problems, making it more challenging for crews to restore power.

East Lyme

Schools will be closed today. Joe Bragaw, the town’s public works director, said a parking ban was set to start 8 p.m. Monday and trash collection will be canceled today with double collection Wednesday. The transfer station will be closed today. More information is on the town website.

Groton

Schools will be closed today. New London

The City of New London issued a parking ban effective at 9 p.m. Monday until the end of the storm. The news release said parking on downtown district streets or the municipal surface parking lot will not be allowed. Vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense to permit clearing streets and parking lots.

The public is invited to park in the Water Street Parking garage free of charge until Wednesday morning.

Citywide winter parking restrictions include the following: no parking on narrow streets; where parking is permitted on only one side of the street, follow posted regulations; where parking is permitted on both sides of the street, park on the even side of the street. New London Police will strictly enforce the restrictions.

The city said public works, fire and police find it difficult to respond to calls, clear roads and respond to emergencies when vehicles improperly park each year on the following streets: Michael Road, Anthony Road, Boulder Drive, Buchanan Road, Rogers Street, Connecticut Avenue, Belden Street, Ledyard Street, Mountain Avenue, Cape Ann Court, Eastern Avenue at the top of the hill, Terrace Avenue and Bragaw Street.

Montville

Schools will be closed today.

Today’s Board of Education meeting and presentation on the district’s operating budget and capital requests will be postponed until March 7 at 6 p.m. in the high school’s media center.

Norwich

Schools are closed today. Police said a parking ban in the city started at 5 p.m. Monday. The department reminded residents, visitors and motorists that traffic regulations prohibit parking on the odd side of all city streets during snowstorms and the subsequent snow removal operations.

Cars found in violation of the parking ban may be towed at the owner’s expense and are subject to a $25 fine.

Property owners and occupants are reminded that they are required by city ordinance to remove all snow, sleet or ice from the sidewalks abutting their property within 12 hours of the storm or within six hours after sunrise if the storm had occurred overnight.

The release said it is unlawful during any snow emergency to park any car on either side of the following streets: Old Cemetery Lane, North Cliff Street, Shetucket Avenue, Terrace Avenue, Fourth Street, from Prospect Street to Gilmour Street; Fifth Street, from Prospect Street to Page Street; Lake Street, Pond Street, Freeman Avenue, Boswell Avenue, from Lake Street to Arnold Street; Sunnyside Avenue (Laurel Hill section), Fairmont Street, from #16 to School Street; Carter Avenue, Fountain Street, from #16 to School Street; Summer Street, Center Street and Quarry Street.

Stonington

Schools are closed today. Police reminded residents that the snow parking ban will be in effect during the storm and until the roads are finished being plowed. There will be no parking on Water Street in Stonington Borough as well. Any vehicle not removed will be ticketed and towed. Also, when clearing private properties, police asked that snow not be dumped in the street.

The town’s emergency operations team said it would keep residents informed through its Everbridge Messaging system, local media, Twitter, Facebook, and the town website.

University of Connecticut

Classes are canceled at all campuses (except UConn Health) today. The cancellation applies to all modes of learning (in person, online, and hybrid).

Waterford

Schools are closed today. Waterford Public Works Director Gary Schneider said there would be a townwide parking ban starting at 9 p.m. Monday. He said the garbage collection will be canceled for today and will be picked up Wednesday.

Other than that, Schneider said the town’s public works department is mounting the plows and making sure conveyors work in anticipation of snowfall.

Others

The Arc Eastern Connecticut, both the South Region and the North Region, which includes day programs, The Emporium, The Donation Station, and The Cookie Factory will be closed today.