ALERT: SNOW EMERGENCY ISSUED REMAINS IN EFFECT

UPDATE: February 24, 2014
Snow Emergency remains in effect in the Borough.

ALERT: SNOW EMERGENCY ISSUED REMAINS IN EFFECT



The DPW continues to remove snow from street corners and other areas of the roadways  to improve visibility for motorists and keep traffic conditions safe and flowing well. With a recent warming trend and some rains, it has helped to begin to melt off the snow mounds that had developed and turned into ice. As this warmer trend continues it should greatly help in creating wider traffic lanes for drivers and for residents along side streets. However, colder air is expected to return this week, February 24-28, along with a storm system that could bring additional precipitation in the form of accumulating snow. The snow emergency will remain in effect in the Borough of Bergenfield since many areas are still not wide enough for free flow of traffic. The Bergenfield Police are asking the public's cooperation in keeping vehicles in driveways and off the streets. This is especially true for areas where parking will make it impossible to safely pass, especially for a neighbor to back out of a driveway or for emergency vehicles such as fire apparatus which are larger.
The Bergenfield Police are enforcing the no parking ban under the snow emergency particularly under section D of the 299-12 ordinance. This states that the snow emergency remains in effect until the streets have been plowed sufficiently and to the extent that parking will not interfere with the normal flow of traffic.
  
Officers, coming upon vehicles, or being dispatched to traffic complaints involving vehicles parked that are interfering with traffic, have made attempts to contact owners of vehicles that are parked and restricting or interfering with traffic flow. If the owner cannot be located, the vehicle will be summonsed for violating the ordinance and then towed to impound. Officers have been very understanding of the difficulties experienced by citizens this winter season with storm after storm. However, without enforcement, the traffic situation would be worse for everyone. We thank all those residents who have cooperated during this difficult period with both the Police Department, Department of Public Works and all Emergency Service Units of the Borough.

The snow emergency declared on February 3, 2014 remains in effect. It will remain in effect until further notice which shall include until after the snow has ceased or until the streets have been plowed sufficiently and to the extent that parking will not interfere with the normal flow of traffic.

Borough Ordinance 299-12. Snow emergency.

A. A snow emergency shall exist whenever snow has fallen and the accumulation is such that it covers the street or highway. In addition to this, when weather conditions cause a state or condition of the street that is hazardous or dangerous to vehicular or pedestrian traffic even if the entire street or highway is not covered by snow shall constitute a snow emergency when declared by the Chief of Police, or in his absence, the ranking police officer in charge.


B. Definition: As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

SNOW: Any precipitation depositing any accumulation and shall be deemed to include snow, sleet, hail, ice, freezing rain or any combination thereof.


SNOW TIRES: Tires with or without studs and having treads designed for use in the snow which tread shall be of sufficient depth to accomplish the purpose for which the tire was designed.


C. Snow emergency declared. Upon the occurrence of a snow emergency as hereinabove defined, the Chief of Police, or in his absence, the ranking police officer shall have the authority to declare such an emergency. Within one hour after such a declaration, no person shall cause, permit, allow or suffer any vehicle owned or driven by him to become stalled or immobile on any portion of any street in the Borough of Bergenfield because of the failure of the vehicle to be equipped with snow tires or chains. The Chief of Police or the ranking officer shall immediately inform the public of said snow emergency by issuing a press release to the local and metropolitan radio, television and news services.


D. Snow emergency routes. All streets of the Borough of Bergenfield are snow emergency routes upon which no parking shall be allowed during a snow emergency, and such parking prohibition, shall remain in effect until after the snow has ceased or until the streets have been plowed sufficiently and to the extent that parking will not interfere with the normal flow of traffic or until otherwise terminated by the Chief of Police, or in his absence, the ranking officer, in the same manner as declared in above.