Fall River, MA – A citywide parking ban will be in effect beginning tomorrow Friday, December 19, 2008 at 7:00 a.m. until further notice. Police officers will begin to tag and tow all vehicles in violation of the ban at 8:00 a.m.

“We are expecting six to twelve inches of snow to begin in the morning with heavier snow falls predicted for the afternoon. For the safety and convenience of all residents, I am asking for all residents to comply with the parking ban. The City and the School Department are working together to make closed parking lots available for parking. I encourage residents to take advantage of these spaces in order for the plows to clear streets thus allowing safety personnel to get through, if necessary,” stated Mayor Correia.

Parking is available at the following locations until the ban is no longer if effect: Flint Municipal Parking lot on Pleasant Street, Municipal lot at Columbia Street and Hunter Street, Park Drive at Kennedy Park, and Britland Park on Front Street.

The following school parking lots will be available for parking as of 5:00 p.m. today:

Closed School Buildings

Fowler Elementary School                                                     

286 Sprague Street     

Debuque Durfee Alternative School

330 Oak Grove Avenue                     

Osborn Street School                                     

160 Osborn Street

N.B. Borden Elementary School

45 Morgan Street

Harriet T. Healy Elementary School                                                  

726 Hicks Street

Coughlin Elementary School

1975 Pleasant Street

Hector L. Belisle Elementary School 

40 Clarkson Street

William Connell Elementary School

650 Plymouth Avenue

Laurel Lake Elementary School

152 Orswell Street

Charles V. Carroll Elementary School

117 Hood Street

Old Henry Lord

615 Tucker Street       

Susan H. Wixon Elementary School

263 Hamlet Street

Cars must be moved from these parking lots before the beginning of school on Monday.

Westall Elementary School

276 Maple Street

Watson Elementary School

935 Eastern Avenue

B.M. C. Durfee High School

Chestnut Street entrance

Motorists are reminded that when a parking ban is in effect, parking is allowed on the north side of all city streets that run east and west and that parking is allowed on the west side of all streets that run north and south. In most cases this means no parking on the fire hydrant side.

Motorists are asked to participate in the parking ban to allow emergency vehicles, including police, fire, and medical, clear access to all streets while allowing better access to snow plows for cleaner and safer streets.

Parking is not allowed within 20 feet of a corner to allow access for snow removing vehicles or 10 feet from a fire hydrant. Parking is allowed, unless posted, on both sides of any street that is divided by a traffic median, but parking against the median is prohibited.

The cost for a parking violation during a parking ban is $40. Towing fees include $75 for each vehicle towed and a $20 per day storage fee will be assessed after the first 24 hours.

Motor vehicles are subject to being tagged and towed immediately upon the start of the parking ban regardless of the amount of snow accumulation.

If a vehicle is in violation of the parking ban and must be towed to clear streets for emergency vehicles, the owner may call the Police Department at (508) 676-8511, for the location of the towed vehicle. All towing fees must be paid to the respective tow company prior to the release of stored vehicles.

Residents are advised to tune in to the local radio station WSAR 1480 – WHTB 1400 for any updates related to the ban. Also, stay tuned to the local radio station regarding when the parking ban will be lifted.

-From the City of Fall River