There was no trash or recycling collections Monday and a one-day delay for the rest of the week.

"Despite the best effort and long hours of DPW workers and school custodians this weekend," schools' superintendent Kathleen Bodie wrote Feb. 9, "our schools cannot be sufficiently cleared of snow to open on Monday morning.

"We expect that sidewalks will remain impassable on many streets for days to come. Since many students who walk to school will need to traverse narrowed streets, I encourage parents/guardians of elementary students to walk with your child(ren) to school. We expect to reopen all schools on Tuesday."

Deliberation behind opening school Tuesday

In an email to parents late on Feb. 11, Bodie wrote:

"I have had a few emails this evening from parents expressing safety concerns for their children going to school tomorrow. As I have said this year and in past years, if you feel that the conditions are not safe for your child to travel to school, you can choose to keep your child home.

"If that is your decision, please report your child's absence and give the reason that you do not feel that the conditions are safe enough for your child to go to school. While the student will be recorded as absent, the reason for the absence is considered valid.

"The decision to re-open schools tomorrow was carefully considered. All of schools have cleared walk-ways and parking lots. Not all sidewalks on blocks leading to the schools have been cleared, nor is it likely that will change all week.

"DPW has cleared bus stops so that students will not wait in the street. Roads that the buses travel have been widened to accommodate the buses.  The rain and warmer temperatures today have cleared many roadways of snow and made them less narrower than they were earlier today [Monday].

"While we had the safety of all our students and staff foremost in our minds when deliberating about this decision, as parents you have to decide what you believe is best for your child(ren)."

A 5 p.m. Monday town notice said:

"When parking a parking restriction is lifted, the town reminds residents that cars are not to obstruct roadways in accordance to Traffic Rules and Orders, Article V Parking, Section 1 (e), which prohibits the parking of a vehicle 'upon any roadway where the parking of a vehicle will not leave a clear and unobstructed lane at least ten (10) feet wide for passing traffic.'

"Not all streets can accommodate parking within this rule and parked cars violating this rule will be subject to ticketing and towing. Please be cognizant of where you park your car."

Because of ongoing snow removal, the Arlington Food Pantry distribution is postponed Tuesday, Feb. 12. Distribution will resume Saturday, Feb. 23.

NOAA predicted 18 to 24 inches of snow would fall in the region that includes Arlington. Nemo has been called the fifth worst storm in Boston history, at 24.9 inches. Other snow totals >>

The one-day delay for trash collection is the remainder of the week. The Friday pickup Saturday. For missed pickups, call JRM directly at 1-800-323-4285.
Please do your best to make items readily available and secured at the curb.

Public safety officials remind residents that roadways are still narrow and to exercise caution on the roadway.

The town would also like to remind residents as they clear public sidewalks and driveways not to move snow into the roadways in accordance with town bylaws.

If you live on a corner, clear a path from the sidewalk to the street. If not precisely on the corner, as close to the corner as you can get. Other ways to help with cleanup efforts include shoveling out fire hydrants by your property or that of a neighbor and clearing any catch basins near your property. Arlington Fire Department encourages residents to "adopt a fire hydrant this winter."

Check your roof

With the threat of approaching rain, dry, fluffy snow can act as a sponge adding weight to structures. Be alert for large accumulating snow build-up or snowdrifts on your roofs and take appropriate action. Read full tips provided by MEMA here.

MEMA and Town Officials also want to remind residents to be wary of scams during your clean-up efforts. The State Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation offer the following tips.

Other Safety Tips to Consider
- Be aware of children playing in the streets, particularly climbing on or running out from behind large snowdrifts. Parents should remind their children to be aware of plowing operations and traffic.
- Clear exhaust vents from Direct Vent Gas Furnace Systems to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Never run an automobile until exhaust pipe has been cleared of snow.
- Please check in with your neighbors who may need extra assistance.

The town lifted its parking ban on Mass. Ave. and municipal lots at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9.

Public Works continues major snow-removal operations opening roads, getting roadways passable and treating surfaces.

Plows were seen getting to side roads by Saturday afternoon.

Roadways are still narrow, and there is more to be done, a statement from the town at 4 p.m. Sunday said. Public Works will break from major operations overnight and resume removal operations early Sunday with a "full push-back effort" townwide to widen roadways.

This may result in snow being pushed back into driveways and sidewalks. This is unavoidable. We ask residents and businesses for their understanding and to work with us as we all clean up after this major storm event.

Public safety officials remind residents that roadways are still narrow and snow operations are not completed. Extreme caution is recommend if you feel the need to drive.

During a snow emergency, a parking ban is in place on all streets and municipal parking lots. It is crucial to keep cars off the streets during this time to allow the town to clear the roads. 

Any vehicles parked on the streets during these hours will be subject to ticketing and towing. 

Get connected, stay connected

Additional updates to this event will be posted online at arlingtonma.gov. Updates may also be sent via Town of Arlington Notices. As always, residents should subscribe to Arlington Alerts, the Town’s emergency Notification system. It is strongly encouraged to include your cell phone number, email and text information.

You can subscribe to Arlington Alerts and Town Notices online at arlingtonma.gov/subscriber.

This story was first published Friday, Feb. 8,l and updated numerous time after that.