Mayor Higgins declared a limited state of emergency for the city of Northampton in advance of two more winter storms. The state of emergency was necessary because the width of some city streets had diminished due to large snow accumulations, potentially blocking emergency vehicles. Parking restrictions were put in place on city streets and residents were asked to help clear fire hydrants and limit travel to allow public works crews to efficiently clear roads. The blue lights warning of winter parking rules and a winter hotline were available for more information.

1. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mayor’s Office 413.587.1249
Mayor Higgins Announces Limited State of Emergency
in Advance of Two More Winter Storms
31 January 2011
Mayor Clare Higgins, in consultation with her Public Safety and Public Works staff, announced a limited
state of emergency in the city, effective at midnight tonight, until further notice. “Due to the extreme
amount of snow the city has received in the past month, and the additional snow predicted in the coming
days, the width of some city streets has diminished to the point that they are not fully accessible to some
of our emergency vehicles. In order to ensure the public’s safety, it is necessary to take this action to
allow our public works crews to open up our streets,” Mayor Higgins said.
For the duration of the limited state of emergency:
• No parking is allowed on any city street – day or night - except at unbagged metered parking
spaces and in the central Florence business district.
• The Armory Street parking lot, Round House parking lot, and the downtown parking garage are
all open for overnight parking. Vehicles must be cleared from these lots from 8:00 – 10:00 am to
allow for those lots to be cleared.
• Fire Department officials ask residents to help with clearing of fire hydrants on their streets.
• Building Department officials ask homeowners to be aware of the risks association with large
snow accumulations, especially on flat roofs. More information is available on the City’s website.
• Public Works officials request that residents curtail automobile travel as much as possible during
and after the coming storms to allow crews to clear roads as efficiently as possible and protect
public safety.
The Blue Lights warning residents of winter parking ban rules will be on for the duration of the limited
state of emergency. More information can be found on the winter hotline – 413-586-6969, or the city’s
website, www.northamptonma.gov
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