(Updated) Schools Reopening Today As Town Nears End of Clean-Up Efforts

UPDATED: Tuesday, 10:49 p.m.
Cheshire School Superintendent Greg Florio has announced that schools will head back to classes today after a 90 minute delay in the morning.

It's a good sign for the town, which has used warm weather in the past couple days to begin clearing roads to full length and making travel safe again throughout the community, officials said.

Cheshire Town Manager Michael Milone also said that a sidewalk clearing requirement suspended when the town declared a snow emergency, will go back into effect at the end of the weekend. All residents will be responsible for having sidewalks cleared by 6 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 18.

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Here is the latest update, provided this afternoon from the office of Cheshire Town Manager Michael Milone:

All Town roads are passable, and crews are working on curb-to-curb cleanup. Storm drains must be cleared, especially with the rain and the warmer temperatures that will be melting snow.  Roads must be widened so that there will be room for plows to push the additional snow that is forecasted.  And roads must be made wide enough for two lane traffic for the safety of motorists, school buses, mail delivery trucks and emergency vehicles. We apologize for the inconvenience to homeowners since this will push more snow into the ends of driveways, but it is necessary for public safety.

Town offices are closed today in recognition of Lincoln's Birthday, but Town Public Works crews are working to complete the storm cleanup.  In addition, contractors are supplementing Town crews to clear intersections to accommodate traffic safely and improve sight lines.

SIDEWALK CLEARING REQUIREMENT EXTENDED: The Town of Cheshire Ordinances requires the clearing of sidewalks by property owners within 24 hours of a snowfall. However, due to the immense volume of snow generated by Storm Nemo, it was almost impossible for residents to clear public sidewalks in such a short timeframe. While resident are asked to please do what they reasonably can to make public sidewalks passable as quickly as possible for the safety of pedestrians and school children, the Town is sensitive to the difficulties of removing such a large amount of snow. 

Therefore, the Town Manager has declared a snow emergency through Sunday, February 17, 2013 which extends the deadline for clearing public sidewalks to Monday, February 18, 2013 at 6:00 a.m.

Residents are reminded to please not blow or plow snow back into the roads; it can freeze and create dangerous conditions.

The parking ban is still in effect until further notice.

Trash and recycling collection will be delayed one day for this week (normal Monday pickup will be on Tuesday, normal Tuesday pick up will be on Wednesday, etc.); please try to place your containers in a cleared area of your driveway off the street. Also, collection will most likely take much longer than usual, so please leave your containers out if they have not been picked up by the usual time.

All Parks and Recreation classes and programs have been cancelled for Tuesday; check their webpage for cancellation updates.

Please do not call the Police Department and PLEASE DO NOT call 911 unless you have a true, serious emergency.

To our residents: your cooperation and willingness to help a neighbor during this historic storm is deeply appreciated.

Was the town ready to have students return to class Wednesday morning? Are you concerned that it was too soon and there were still safety hazards? Let us know in the comments section below.

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