Removing snow off the city’s streets is no easy task, and local law enforcement officials want residents to do their part to help make the job of city crews easier.
During the first snow fall of the season — which started up Christmas day — many vehicles throughout town did not follow the parking ordinances put in place by the city, said Morton police chief Nick Graff.
So far, the police department has avoided ticketing offenders, but Graff warns that will soon begin to change.
“We don’t want to hand out citations, but we’re going to have to if people don’t start following the ordinances,” Graff said. “I think people need to be aware that there are snow routes in Morton and that (the city) enforces those ordinances.”
There are three ordinances in Morton that deal with parking in the snow, he said.
The first is the snow route ordinance, which goes into effect on 10 major streets after the accumulation of more than 2 inches of snow.
“Once we get 2 inches or more of snow, for two days after you can’t park on the snow route,” said Graff, adding that there are signs on the designated streets. “The snow routes are the busier streets.”
With about 7 inches of snow accumulated, the parking ordinance became an issue, especially on streets like Detroit Avenue.
“I don’t think people were prepared for it,” he said.
While parking citations cost $10, Graff said, “The towing bill can be horrendous.”
The second ordinance is a 24-hour parking ordinance, which prohibits vehicles parking in the same spot for more than 24 hours at a time.
“It becomes pretty obvious in the winter time that a car has not been moved in 24 hours,” he said. “The whole goal of this is to get the snow pushed back to the curb.”
The final ordinance, which is rarely used, is a complete parking ban throughout town, Graff said. Over 20 years, the city has used it only three or four times during major snow storms, he said.
Mike Ingold, street superintendant, said the city’s first snow removal efforts went according to plan except one mechanical problem with a plow.
“We pretty much worked 24 hours straight,” he said.
Crews started Christmas day and went around the clock until the morning of Dec. 28.
Nine trucks and two backhoes were divided into three areas of town, he said. They met in the middle of town and worked to the outskirts.
Like Graff, Ingold stressed the need for residents to follow the ordinances.
“It would sure help us out and make it a little easier,” he said.
The National Weather Service in Lincoln forecasts snow for tonight and Thursday. Several inches are expected.
