Snow team tells residents to brace for mid-week snow storm

Members of Boston Mayor Thomas Menino’s snow team met Wednesday to discuss response plans for the snowstorm that is predicted to continue into Thursday morning, according to a press release.

“We’ve enjoyed a mild winter so far, but the season is not over yet,” Menino said in the press release. “The City is preparing for winter weather and we’re asking residents and commuters to do the same, particularly during the evening and early morning commuting hours.”

The press release noted the weather is always unpredictable, but at the time the city is expected to receive up to 6 inches of snow. Boston Public Works crews have prepared for the incoming snow. Crew
members pre-treated roads and prepared snow removal equipment across Boston district yards.

Menino urged Boston locals to take a few steps to avoid the hazards of heavy snow, the press release said. Residents should use public transportation if possible. Roads are slippery and dangerous and
plowing equipment will be running down roads for an extended period of time.

Boston reminded property owners to salt and sand sidewalks and stairs to minimize slippery surfaces. Residents also are encouraged to help public officials by shoveling out fire hydrants and catch basins near their property.

Boston officials sometimes declare snow emergencies and ban parking on high-use roads, referred to as “snow emergency arteries” on the city of Boston website. Neither a snow emergency nor a parking ban has been declared.

Boston takes full responsibility for plowing and deicing 850 miles of roadway with more than 500 pieces of plowing equipment, according to the Boston Winter Weather Guide for this winter. State controlled roadways will be cleared by their respective agencies, such as Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Department of Conservation and Recreation.