By Tony Zeli
Here comes winter! That means winter parking bans, snow removal rules to follow, and sand and salt to spread. Here’s your need-to-know to survive the winter in Portland this year.
For its part, the City of Portland cares for more than 560 lane miles of road. In addition, the City clears more than 100 miles of sidewalks following each snowstorm. Last season, the City was concerned about labor shortages causing delays in the cleanup. But the winter wasn’t as bad as it could have been and new hires were made. This year, the department says it is ready.
“We are fully staffed this year and ready for winter operations,” said DPW Director Mike Murray. “We look forward to ensuring the city’s streets are safe when winter weather events occur.”
Winter Parking Bans
The City can call a city-wide parking ban, a peninsula ban, or a yellow zone ban covering the downtown district. Residents and visitors can view alerts on the City’s website at www.portlandmaine.gov or sign up to receive email, text, and phone notices via the Stay Connected feature. You can also text the word “PortlandParkingBan” to 38276 to get parking ban updates. Motorists can also call the parking ban hotline at 207-879-0300.
TIP: If parking your car on the street, please park as close to the snowbank as possible. Often people park several feet away from the curb in order to allow passengers to move in and out of the car easily. Parking the car in this manner shortens the width of the street by several feet, making it difficult for Portland snowplows to clear the street safely and emergency vehicles to respond as quickly as possible to a fire or medical emergencies. If the street is impassable for an emergency vehicle, the city will tow the vehicle blocking the street.
TIP: Be on the lookout for any emergency no parking signs that may be posted on streets following major snow events. These signs are only required to be posted 12 hours in advance.
Sidewalk Snow Removal Regulations
All residents and businesses must clear a minimum of four feet of snow and treat for ice on all public sidewalks and sidewalk access ramps. Do not push snow from driveways and parking lots onto public access sidewalks and access ramps. Business owners have 12 hours following a winter storm, and residents get 18 hours to clear their properties or face fines. Should the city have to remove the snow and ice, they will charge the property owner for the cost of removal plus a 10% charge for administration.
TIP: Elderly and disabled residents who need help with removing snow from sidewalks should contact the City’s Elder Services Department at 207-541-6620.
TIP: Members of the community may help the Portland Fire Department by keeping their neighborhood fire hydrants clear of snow and ice. Residents should also help Public Works by clearing catch basins and storm drains in front of their homes.
Residential Sand & Salt Pile
The City’s residential sand and salt pile is located at the Little League parking lot at Payson Park. This sand and salt pile is for residential use only. Contractors are not allowed.
TIP: Residents can take two 5-gallon pails at a time.
Get help! Customer Service Hotline
For customer service related to winter operations, please call 207-874-8493. For sidewalk plowing concerns, please call 207-874-8793.
Tony Zeli is publisher and editor. Contact him at thewestendnews@gmail.com.