Snow was still falling mid-morning Monday as Cape Ann residents and government officials dug in and dug out from the late weekend snowstorm.
The snowstorm dumped 20-22 inches of snow on Cape Ann Sunday into Monday, according to the National Weather Service. It predicts the storm will deliver 2 to 4 inches of snow Monday, tapering off around 8 p.m., with 1 to 2 inches coming during the night. Increasing clouds are expected Tuesday.
While Monday’s high is expected to be about 30 degrees, temperatures will dip to 11 overnight, with wind chill values of minus 4. Tuesday a high of near 23 is forecast with northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Wind chill values may be as low as -5. Temperatures will drop more Thursday.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency urges residents to prepare their homes for the extreme cold if they haven’t yet, advising people to locate and insulate pipes, allow faucets to drip, open cabinet doors to let warm air reach plumbing, keep heat set to at least 55 degrees and disconnect outdoor hoses and drain pipes.
On the roads late Monday morning, Gloucester Times reporter Gail McCarthy said major streets such as Washington, Rogers and Eastern Avenue are open and in good shape, while Main Street has piles of snow on the sidewalks. Side streets are messy, she said, and people everywhere are shoveling out.
Residents are reminded to not place snow in roadways as it is a by-law violation subject to fines in Cape Ann’s communties.
Also local fire departments ask homeowners and business owners to make sure that any heating system exhaust vents are cleared of snow to avoid any carbon monoxide build-up. They also ask that residents help them out by digging out hydrants on or near their properties.
Many businesses are closed today. Among the exceptions are gas stations, and Advance Auto Parts on Eastern Avenue.
Mayor Paul Lundberg said Monday part of the city’s Kondelin Road industrial park lost power for a time but that most of the city’s utilities were not impacted by the storm.
“No other neighborhoods were affected,” Lundberg said. “National Grid was ready.”
Lundberg said members of Gloucester’s Police, Fire and Public Works departments were out overnight responding to the storm. He said the parking ban was expected to be lifted Monday at 6 p.m.
Lundberg said he would provide additional details regarding the storm later Monday.
City Council President Tony Gross said the storm presented a challenge for city workers and residents.
“I haven’t been out of my house since Saturday,” he said Monday morning. “The roads near my house are not down to pavement but they are pretty clear.
Gross said he did not envy the decision to be made by Superintendent Ben Lummis regarding whether to open schools Tuesday.
“The safety of our students is paramount,” Gross said. “Who knows what’s going to happen?”
The Action Inc. shelter on Main Street was at full capacity over the weekend, according to Kristin Macek, director of advancement for the nonprofit organization. The facility can house up to 16 people at one time.
“This is what we do,” she said. “This is not out of the ordinary.”
Typically, the shelter asks those staying there to leave in the mornings only to be welcomed back in the evening. But the storm prompted Action Inc. officials to forgo that routine.
“We opened up early yesterday,” Macek said. “We were able to allow some additional guests to stay. We don’t turn anyone away.”
In Rockport, Public Works crews continued to be out cleaning up and pushing back the large piles of snow around 9:30 a.m. The DPW Office was managing calls for assistance and working through a list, according to town officials.
Parking bans
Gloucester’s parking ban ends Monday at 6 p.m. Under the city’s winter parking ban rules, all vehicles must be removed from public ways for the duration of the emergency, or else the cars are at risk of ticketing and towing.
Parking, at car owner’s risk, is available at all municipal and school parking lots — with the exception of East Veterans Elementary School. However, all cars must be removed from school parking lots by 8 p.m. Monday to ensure proper snow removal before school resumes Tuesday.
Rockport’s overnight parking ban is in place until Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 6 a.m. There is also no parking in the center spaces of the resident lot on Broadway.
Manchester-by-the-Sea’s winter parking ban is in effect until further notice. On-street parking is prohibited during the ban to allow Public Works to safely clear roads. Police say the ban is beingestrictly enforced, and any car on the street being ticketed and towed. Off-street parking is available in municipal lots behind Town Hall, Norwood Avenue, and the Brook Street Field.
In Essex, the winter parking ban is in effect through April 1. No parking is allowed from midnight until dawn on any street in town, including Pickering Street for this storm. Violators may receive a $50 parking citation and vehicles will be subject to towing.
Police Chief Tom Shamshak also lifted the suspension on parking for more than 24 hours in the municipal lot on Shepard Memorial Drive through Wednesday, Jan. 28. Cars should be parked along the outermost section of the lot, next to the retaining pond, to allow Public Works to keep it clear.
Trash, closures
Curbside trash pickup was delayed by one day in Gloucester and Manchester-by-the-Sea to allow clearing of the roads for snow plows.
— Senior Care’s Gloucester office is closed Monday. Staff is working remotely and most are available via telephone or email throughout the day.
— Gloucester city buildings, including Sawyer Free Library, are closed Monday.
— Manchester-by-the-Sea Town Hall is closed Monday.
— Building Center stores in Gloucester and Essex are closed Monday.
— The Open Door on Emerson Avenue is closed Monday.
— Cape Ann YMCA is closed Monday.
— CAM Green, 13 Poplar St., Gloucester, will re-open Wednesday, Jan. 28.
— Essex selectmen have canceled their meeting scheduled for this evening.
— Salem State University has canceled all day and evening classes Monday. Only designated essential personnel were told to report to work.
This story will be updated at gloucestertimes.com.