Town Declares Parking Ban Beginning Sunday Night

Source: amherstma.gov

Due to inclement weather, the Town of Amherst Department of Public Works has declared a Town Parking Ban. Parking is prohibited from 11:59 pm on Sunday, January 25 to 7:00 am on Monday, January 26 on all town streets and in all parking lots, with three exceptions. 

During a declared parking ban, the following lots will remain available for overnight parking:  

1. The lower level of the parking garage.
2. The town portion of the Pray Street Lot.
3. Northern row of the town N Pleasant St. Lot (row closest to church only).

Otherwise, vehicles will be ticketed and towed nightly, at the owner’s expense. Regular enforcement hours for these lots begins at 8 a.m. Owners of any vehicles left parked in these designated parking areas are responsible to pay for parking. View a map of Amherst center parking. 

While allowable during the daytime hours, we encourage drivers to minimize on-street parking and parking in downtown lots to assist the crews in clearing the roads. We are not able to clear snow from under or around vehicles, which results in vehicles being buried or windrows being left behind. 

OTHER WINTER WEATHER REMINDERS 

• DPW crews will begin operations on Sunday morning. Due to the anticipated duration and rate of snowfall, our priority will be the main roads. We are committed to addressing all public roads within Town, but please be advised that there may be several hours between plowing passes on less-traveled roads. 
  
• Property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from their sidewalks and are encouraged to dig out their nearest fire hydrant. Depending on storm conditions and equipment availability, the Department of Public Works may send a sidewalk plow around on major sidewalks to assist residents as a courtesy, however, this does not relieve the owners of their obligation to maintain the sidewalk in a passable condition. Learn more about sidewalk snow removal responsibilities.
  
• If possible, stay off of the roads. If you must go out, please anticipate longer travel times, be aware of plow crews, potential road closures, and avoid downed power lines, poles, limbs, etc.
  
• If you are experiencing an emergency, call 9-1-1.
  
• Report or track power outages via Eversource.

WAYS TO STAY INFORMED 

• Sign up for Parking Ban alerts in your language of choice by clicking here or texting the word “Parking” to 38276 from your mobile device.
  
• Watch for the flashing blue lights over major intersections in town. When these lights are flashing, there is an active parking ban in effect. 
  
• Visit our website (www.amherstma.gov) to stay up-to-date on the latest announcements, news, and alerts.
  
• Follow us on social media (Facebook & Instagram).
  
• Call 413-259-3005 and listen to the recording to hear whether or not there is an active parking ban in place.