Wednesday night at 8:00 p.m., City Manager Jay Ash declared a snow emergency as forecasters predicted snowfall ranging from as little as 6″ and as high as 10″. “At least this gives residents time to come home from work and to do their shopping or eating out,” Ash said. The city manager expressed hope that conditions might allow the snow emergency to be lifted Thursday morning, though this remained contingent on actual accumulation amounts. Meanwhile, school administrators were monitoring weather developments closely that Wednesday evening. Following established protocol, they prepared to make final determinations about class cancellations closer to Thursday’s start time rather than deciding immediately. The city’s snow budget had already been depleted by January’s severe weather events, which necessitated extensive salting, sanding, plowing and removal operations. According to Ash, the $60,000 allocated for these activities had been exhausted, requiring the city to secure additional funding for ongoing work. Anticipating the storm, city hall notified police, fire, DPW and 911 dispatch. The city also alerted contract plow operators and tow truck operators to prepare for potential emergencies. At the Eastern Minerals depot on Marginal Street, massive salt stockpiles were being consumed rapidly as trucks from across the state arrived to replenish their road salt supplies.
City Declares Snow Emergency with Heavy Snowfall Expected
