NASHUA – Though Friday brought rain and unseasonably warm temperatures to Nashua, officials with the city’s Division of Public Works are implementing a new plan to address snow emergencies.

The new notification plan will result in the snow emergency beacons throughout the city activating before and during a snow emergency. The old plan just had the beacons turn on during an emergency.

This change was made to give people enough time to move their vehicles off the streets to avoid being towed. Plows need to clear roadways in the city, and to do so, cars need to be moved from each street so officials can plow curb to curb. Division spokeswoman Lauren Byers said the beacons will now turn on as soon as the city makes the decision to declare a snow emergency.

Byers also said there will be “electronic message boards,placed all over the city, using them as another means of notification for the residents.”

She said these boards will placed in certain locations throughout Nashua alerting those passing by of the emergency and the hours it is in effect. For example, one will be located in the area of Henri A. Burque Highway and Concord Street. There will be another on Amherst Street by Holman Stadium. She said the boards will be used along the major routes in and out of the city.

“It’s very, very important that our residents remain alert and make themselves aware of the hours for the snow emergencies,” Byers said. “If they don’t move their cars from the street, we can’t plow. And then that creates problems for a lot of people.”

Motorists may see their vehicles towed if they do not move them as required. Byers made it clear that in the event of a snow emergency, every street in the city needs to be clear from vehicles.

During snow emergencies, overnight parking is prohibited, but residents can still park in the city garages on High Street and Elm Street for free. Moreover, normal parking conditions will apply once the snow emergency is over.

Nonetheless, if a vehicle is towed, it will be taken to Four Hills Landfill, located at 840 W. Hollis St., where it will be released after one proves ownership and pays the fine.

Adam Urquhart can be reached at 594-1206, or at aurquhart@nashuatelegraph.com.

More Information

Information regarding snow emergencies and the hours they will be in place can be found at:

Facebook: Nashua Public Works

Twitter: @NashuaDPW

City Website:Nashuanh.gov

CodeRed

Snow Emergency Information Line: 603-589-4795