As of Jan. 24, the Syracuse area has endured more than 109 inches of snowfall this winter as compared to 61 inches last January.
The higher-than-average piles of snow prompted Liverpool Mayor Marlene Ward to propose lengthening the village’s on-street parking ban from 2 to 6 a.m. daily to midnight to 6 a.m. Ward discussed the idea with the village board of trustees at their monthly meeting Jan. 20.
“The DPW has reported that vehicles parked on the streets are impeding snow removal,” she said. When there is heavy snow, the mayor said, the DPW plows might be better able to clear the streets if the parking ban lasts an extra two hours. The ban would not affect the village business district, she said.
Ward reported that DPW Supervisor Bill Asmus favors the extended ban.
Right now, on-street parking is limited to the hours before and after 2 and 6 a.m. from Nov. 1 through April 15. Vehicles in violation can be ticketed and/or towed.
Trustee Denis Hebert was concerned about how a ban beginning at midnight might affect local house parties. “Most people have left the party by 1 or 2 a.m.,” he said, “but not necessarily by midnight.”
If the DPW needs more time, Hebert suggested making it from 2 to 8 a.m.
It could be unrealistic to establish such a change mid-winter, said Trustee Gary White. “I don’t think we should take any action on this at least not this season,” White said. “It would be difficult to educate our residents (about the new hours).”
When a particularly heavy snowfall occurs, White suggested the mayor declare a snow emergency ordering all cars off village streets whatever the time of day.
Trustee Jim Rosier, the board’s DPW liaison, said he had yet to hear about the problem. Rosier moved to table the issue and promised to discuss the matter with Asmus in detail, and the board concurred.
The next village board meeting is set for 7 p.m. Feb. 23.
