Winter Storm 2013

[Updated: 4:30 p.m. Friday]

Freeholder Brendan Gill Releases Winter Storm Statement

In response to the winter storm hitting the east coast, Freeholder Brendan Gill has released the following statement.

“Essex County Executive DiVincenzo has declared a Snow Emergency in Essex County.  Robo-calls were made to all county residents Thursday night to announce that all county parks will be closed as of 2:00 PM Friday, and also asking that no cars be parked on county roads after 2:00 PM, Friday, to facilitate plowing.

“In Bloomfield, this announcement specifically refers to Brookdale and Watsessing Parks, and the following county roads:  Alexander Avenue, Bay Avenue, Belleville Avenue, Bloomfield Avenue, Broad Street, East Passaic Avenue, Franklin Street, Grove Street, Hoover Avenue, JFK Drive, Watchung Avenue, and West Passaic Avenue.

“The County began the salting of county roads at 7:00 AM this morning, which will continue throughout the storm, and plows will be available as of 2:00 PM and dispatched to begin plowing as weather conditions warrant.

“I urge all Bloomfield residents to exercise extreme caution throughout this storm, to stay off the streets as much as possible and, most importantly, to be safe.”

Schools: Early Dismissal

Superintendent Jason Bing has announced that all Bloomfield schools will close early on Friday.

The early dismissal hours for Bloomfield schools are as follows:

• Elementary schools: 12:30 pm
• Middle school: 1:05 pm
• Bloomfield High School: 12:15 pm

All after school activities and YMCA childcare at the schools has also been canceled for Friday.

Snow Parking Rules 

When snow reaches 3 inches and continues to fall, homeowners with driveways must remove their cars from the street until plowing can be done.

Residents without driveways also need to move their cars off the street so the roadways can be plowed. 

Residents can park their cars in the following locations. However, cars will be ticketed and/or towed if they are parked in the following locations before they are plowed. 

• Schools playgrounds
• School parking lots 
• Recreation Department parking lot, located at 84 Broad St.
• Felton Field
• Pulaski Park

In addition, Bloomfield Police will be asking residents to remove their cars from the streets about one or two hours before plowing begins. If police cannot contact residents with cars on the street, they may be towed. 

Stay tuned for more updates. 

We want your  photos or videos of the storm! Send them to your Bloomfield Patch editor at mike.donofrio@patch.com!