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Who Clears Marlborough's Snowy Sidewalks?

A reader asked about the city's rules related to sidewalk-shoveling, particularly when said sidewalks are where children wait for the bus.

A reader recently asked us the following question: "What happens when homeowners don't clear their sidewalks, more than 24 hours after a snow storm, and their sidewalks happen to be a bus stop for elementary school students?" The short answer: Sidewalks must be cleared by the property owner within 12 hours after the flakes stop flying. The longer answer: According to Pamela Wilderman, the City's Code Enforcement Officer, it is the responsibility of the owner, tenant or caretaker of a property that abuts a sidewalk to clear that sidewalk. If it is not cleared in a timely fashion a $50 fine could be levied. The sidewalk must be cleared within 12 hours of the snow stopping during the day time, or by noon the next day if the snow ends …

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Damon Michaels

2:17 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013

Similar situation here. The sheer volume of snow placed on my property by the city is astounding. I also recall the rule mentioning "natural snow", which means you would not be responsible for snow deposited by a snow plow as that is not "natural".   more ›

'Fasten Your Seatbelts,' Friday is Looking Like a Blizzard

Get your milk and bread, bring the firewood inside and get some batteries in the flashlights. This may be a humdinger!

Jim Arnold, weather specialist with Shrewsbury Emergency Management, doesn't think he's used the words "fasten your seatbelts" in a weather update more than four times in the past 25 years. Today, Wednesday, he did.    "I think we will see blizzard conditions developing by late Friday afternoon," said Arnold. "Snow will begin around or just before dawn and should be fairly light until mid morning when it will become heavier and the wind will begin to increase. Heavy blowing and drifting snow should be our lot during the afternoon possibly reaching blizzard and occasional whiteout conditions in the late afternoon, and continuing throughout the night and into early Saturday morning." There is also the chance of seeing “thundersnow”, from …

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Stormy Pattern, and Possibly Snow, Predicted for Next Week

Strong coastal storm may affect Framingham between Monday and Wednesday.

For those of you dreaming of a white Christmas, this forecast is what you've been waiting for.   According to the National Weather Service, there is a chance for accumulating snow next week as a coastal storm develops between Monday and Wednesday. An active weather pattern is expected to begin Sunday and continue through the middle of next week. There's a possibility of snow and/or ice, with significant amounts if temperatures remain cold enough. The National Weather Service is currently predicting a 50 percent chance of rain and snow Monday night and Tuesday. Timing of the storm is still uncertain, as is the type of precipitation and any potential hazards.

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Weather Service Predicts 4 to 6 Inches of Snow Saturday

NOAA predicts reasonably heavy snow throughout much of the day Saturday in Marlborough and the rest of southern New England.

The National Weather Service has issued a notice to many areas in southern New England, including the Marlborough area, advising residents of an upcoming snowstorm that could leave up to 6 inches on the ground.  Expected to begin sometime mid-Saturday morning, the storm will move in from the west and snow will accumulate quickly.  "Snow will accumulate quickly as the ground is already cold," said a release from the National Weather Service. "Untreated surfaces will become slippery quickly. Travelers are encouraged to allow extra time to reach their destinations." The Massachusetts State Police recently issued a statement advising drivers to be extra cautious during bad weather.  "Be mindful that wet, icy and snow-covered roads require …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: Jan. 12

One local business is offering a heck of a meal deal, and there are some things to keep in mind if there is snow on the ground for your ride to work.

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Be very careful on the ride in to work this morning as the National Weather Service is predicting a stormy mess with below freezing temperatures. We posted a story on the expected bad weather last night.  2. Beginning this weekend the Marlborough Girl Scouts will be out and about with booths around the city selling their famous cookies. This Saturday, Jan. 14 they will be at Capital Farms, 554 Boston Post Rd. E. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and at St. Mary's Credit Union on West Main Street from 9 a.m. to noon.  3. The overnight parking ban for the city of Marlborough is …

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Eldridge to Lead Forum on 'Snowtober' National Grid Outages

Marlborough state senator Jamie Eldridge along with Rep. Steven Levy will talk to residents about how they were affected by the Halloween weekend storm and the resulting National Grid power outages.

State Senator Jamie Eldridge announced Monday that he will host a community forum to discuss the widespread power outages resulting from the Oct. 29 snowstorm on Thursday, Dec. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bigelow Auditorium in the Marlborough Public Library. Members of the public with concerns about the utility response are invited to attend and share their perspective. “The October snowstorm left many of my constituents without power—including heat—for several days. Bad weather and natural disasters are unpreventable, but there may be more we can do to prepare for these occurrences in the future. I look forward to hearing from constituents about their concerns and working together to improve service in the future,” said Eldridge. The …

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UPDATE: NWS Ups Halloween Nor'easter Totals to 8 Inches

Marlborough and much of New England are in store for a Halloween weekend snowstorm.

If you and your kids are planning some weekend trick-or-treating, you may want to consider dressing up as Old Man Winter, or at the very least break out your winter boots.  A winter storm warning is in effect from 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 until 8 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 30. "A major winter storm will bring damaging, heavy, wet snow to the interior of southern New England late today and tonight, said a release from NWS. "Rain will transition to snow this evening with all locations impacted no later than midnight. Snow will fall heavy at times with 1 to 2 inches of snow per hour possible." The National Weather Service has ammended its snow total prediction to eight inches for the Marlborough area.  "Heavy, wet sow and strong winds will result in …

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Another Blanket of Snow Covers Marlborough

Here's a photo slideshow of Friday's blanket of snow.

Photographer Sue Wambolt took a drive around Marlborough Friday after the most recent snowstorm. Though the sun is out today (albeit with some pretty frigid temps), Marlborough is in store for more snow and nasty weather this week.

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