Sally Goldson clears off her Subaru for a trip to the grocery store.
Seniors in the Hill were plowed in. In Goatville, tires were spotted on a snow bank. On Cottage Street, a handicapped man called for helping digging out his car.
Those were some of the latest calls for help the city received Friday morning as it swung into the next phase of clearing the now-completed Winter Storm Pax.
Also Friday, CT Transit announced it is resuming some bus service as of 9 a.m. Full bus service is expected to be available by 10 a.m. With this proviso: “Customers should continue to anticipate detours or delays due to the residual snow and resulting road and traffic conditions.”
Meanwhile, Metro-North will run on a more limited Saturday schedule all day.
Following are minute-by-minute reports filed by city officials:
8:24 a.m. Caller stated that there are two tires in a snow bank on Nash Street near Lawrence Street. Worried that they will go into the road and cause an accident.
8:06 a.m. FD [fire department] will be out clearing snow from hydrants and also reporting any street access/blockages.these will be reported to the EOC [Emergency Operations Center] or PSAP [Public Service Answering Point]
8:01 a.m. Caller said that St. Ronan Terrace needs plowing. Public Works notified.
7:59 a.m. Callers from 37 Kingswood and 173 Plymouth Street stated that their driveways were plowed in and they cannot get out. They are seniors.
7:44 a.m. Caller stated that Pond Street needs to be plowed.
7:37 a.m. 60 Foxon Street. Caller reported that her car is parked in her handicap spot in front of her house. Her car was plowed in . If possible to assist with getting her car out of the snow.
7:22 a.m. “Salvatore” who lives at 39 Cottage Street has a handicapped parking spot on the odd side of the street. He said the odd side of the road is clear, would like it plowed. Relayed info to Public Works.
7:18 a.m. Numerous calls for plowing and salt on Austin Street. We notified Public works.
3:23 a.m. LCI bulk trash pick up at 105 Farren Avenue in AM? called in by Doug Hausladen.
Thursday’s Reports
Allan Appel Photo
Paola Acosta and daughter Camille shoveled Fair haven’s Sanford Street, the shortest street in town. Paola said she has never seen plowed in her three years living there.
9 p.m. Winter Storm Pax prompted school officials to cancel school Friday, effectively creating an 11-day vacation for students and teachers.
The storm prompted school closures Thursday and Friday, the sixth and seventh snow days of an unusually blizzardy winter. Because next week is February break, students won’t come back to school until Monday, Feb. 24.
The announcement sparked jubilation—and some concern—on the school district’s Facebook page.
“My son is doing back flips ... in the snow ... without gloves,” wrote Constance Johnson.
Science supervisor Rich Therrien offered tips on how to study for standardized tests in March. Friday was scheduled to be a half day, with early dismissal leading up to February break.
“Why was there a half day before winter break? There could have been a delay if that was not the case,” wrote Jeanine Satnick. “Time to rethink the calendar going forward. They should be in class tomorrow.”
The school district has extended the school year by five days to meet state law, which requires districts to complete 180 days of school before June 30. The last day is scheduled for Wednesday, June 25. If there are more snow days, it will be pushed back farther.
UI crews were responding to two isolated power outages, each affecting one customer, as of 9 p.m. Thursday.
Updates from 5 p.m. Emergency Operations Center briefing:
• A parking ban will be in effect between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. Friday. The ban covers downtown and both sides of all posted snow routes.
• More snow is expected between 2 and 4 a.m.
• The parks department has cleared seven lots now open for parking: at Fairmont Park on Clifton Street, Fair Haven Library on Grand, East Shore Park on Woodward, Edgewood Park on Whalley and West Rock, Bowen Field on Munson, Wilson Library on Daggett and Washington, Mitchell Library on Harrison.
• There have been no power outages.
Following are some Thursday updates on Winter Storm Pax posted online by various city officials; post a comment here to let us know how snow-clearing is going on your block:
6:51 p.m. PSAP EOC:
[Hill] Alderman [Jorge] Perez Called that hurlburt st , cassius st, author st, need to be plowed.
3:56 p.m. Mike Piscitelli (economic development):
CT Transit (Very Important): New Haven Division - All routes regular weekday schedule until 6:15pm (6:15pm trips from New Haven Green operate as scheduled) then service suspended.
2:29 p.m. Piscitelli: Tweed Update:
US Airways cancelled all their flights for today based on PHL and HVN weather, but have a staff member available to customers who need assistance. Robinson does not have anything on their books until 7pm tonight but that is weather dependent and they will keep us posted.
We have hired Empire Paving, to assist with snow removal. Their 7 CY loader arrived at noon to assist in snow removal on the west ramp and digging out signs on the airfield. During the post-storm clean-up we will evaluate if we will need additional equipment such as the backhoe to dig out the airfield lights, but will have a better idea once the visibility improves. The staff is continues to work hard through the storm.
1:22 p.m. Doug Hausladen (traffic and parking): TT&P staff were pulled from the streets and are regrouping. The roads were not safe enough for staff, but we will be ready for 12-6am parking ban to do all of downtown and every snow route.
1:27 p.m. Alan Bush (public works): DPW has over 35 pieces of equipment deployed city-wide. Main focus are the main roads, emergency snow routes. Secondary roads will be addressed once those primary roads are passable for emergency personnel. Parks Department has 25 workers deployed. Parks Dept. personnel are clearing crosswalks, walkways, bus stop areas, bridges and assisting DPW.
12:24 p.m. Roz Hamilton (health department): cars leaving New Haven via the On ramp on Church St. were just covered and immobilized with snow thrown on them when plows on the connector travelling on the right side of the street went by…Ramp now has about 7 stuck cars. Some drivers are out shoveling as new cars approach.
