March 28, 2024

Snow ordinance update impacts winter parking

With the first snow fall of the year already here, and many more predicted to come, the Newton city snow ordinance is once again going to take effect if plowing operations have been declared. The snow ordinance can take effect from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. any day from Nov. 1 through April 30.

“We ask them to get their cars off the street so they need to do that. That really helps us plow the street so we can do it once and do a good job,” Keith Laube, Public Works Director said.

The city has a Snow Line, 641-791-7669, that citizens can call to learn if the plowing operations have been declared. The Snow Line will be activated by 7 p.m. the night of the parking ban. If they have been declared, all cars that are parked, abandoned or left unattended on any public street or alley between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. have the potential to be ticketed and towed in order to plow the street.

When vehicles are parked on the street, the snow plow cannot effectively clear the snow from the street, Laube said. That results in snow being left behind to get compacted by traffic, leaving a rough and possibly hazardous street to drive on, according to the Public Works Department.

Separate from all city streets is the Downtown Snow Removal District, which has different parking restrictions. The hot line to call for the downtown district is 641-792-0411 and will also be activated by 7 p.m. The downtown district includes areas between North Third Avenue and South Second Avenue from West Fourth Street to East Fourth Street.

Snow collected in the downtown area must be hauled away because of lack of storage space. If the ordinance is in effect, parking is banned from 2 to 6 a.m. This is a change from a total parking ban at the same time whether the ordinance was in effect or not during the selected dates.

After a snow fall, sidewalks must be cleared within 24 hours of the end of the snow fall and are the responsibility of the property owner. The city asks that snow is kept on the owner property and is not permitted to be put in the street. The downtown district is the exception where business owners can put the snow in the street for it to be hauled away.

The city gives a few helpful hints when plowing and shoveling your property. Remove the snow from the sidewalks and driveway before walking or driving on it to avoid compounding. Place snow when possible on the south or east side of the drive to prevent drifting from north or northwesterly winds. Also, spread a small amount of snow and ice melt on the drive or sidewalk immediately prior to a storm. That may help prevent snow and ice from adhering to the pavement.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com.