In storms, new rules for parking
Law allows DPW to clear snow from streets
The Daily Mail
Nov. 14, 2009

CATSKILL — The Catskill Village Board has enacted a complete but some say imperfect snow parking law that will allow the Village Department of Public Works to clear snow from roadways at all times of day and night.

The Board approved unanimously the new law requiring cars to be parked on the odd side of the street between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. and on the even side of the street between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. during snowstorms. Trustee Angelo Amato was absent from Monday’s Board meeting.

The new law, which Board members admitted might not be ideal for all Village residents, replaces parking rules enacted last winter. Last winter alternate-side parking was dictated by the date a storm began.

“The first one didn’t work that well, so we’re trying a different one,” Trustee James Chewens said, “we may back in the springtime and revise it one more time.” Chewens said,

He said residents who see problems with the new rules during the winter should contact Police Chief David Darling.

“Don’t hesitate to call,” he said.

Before the votes, residents, Trustees and DPW Superintendent Lewis O’Connor discussed possible problems with the law.

Ken Trieling said DPW employees might not clear snow from the open parking spots along Village roads within a 12-hour period, especially if the storm began overnight.

O’Connor said plowing takes employees in three hours with six trucks and said snow was not removed during only one overnight storm last winter.

Trustees Joseph Kozloski and Patrick McCulloch agreed that DPW employees could work more efficiently cars were not left in the same spot for a 24-hour period but were moved twice a day. Otherwise, Kozloski said, snowplows could not clear snow from the streets until the cars were moved.

O’Connor and Trustee James Chewens pointed out that some towns disallow parking on all streets during snow storms.

The parking rules will go into effect when the National Weather Service forecasts snow and remain enforceable after 12 hours and until snow is removed from the street.

“[Catskill Police Chief David Darling] is going to tow cars this year,” O’Connor said.