WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - We continue our team coverage on tonight’s storm, focusing on parking bans. Most of the parking bans started at 7 p.m. Friday night, so again, if you haven’t moved your car yet, you’re going to want to take care of that as soon as possible.

New England snowstorms in December are nothing new to residents or the Department Of Public Works employees, but the difference between this weekend’s storm, it decided to arrive through the holiday weekend.

We spoke with Mayor Will Reichelt who said weekend storms tend to be a little bit easier to handle, but they handle every storm the same, “So, there’s no concerns about whether or not the roads will be open for schools. Less people are commuting on a weekend day in like a morning commute to work than a weekday. So, that does give us a little bit of leeway.”

West Springfield’s parking ban includes starting tonight at 7 p.m. and will go until further notice:

“We always have concerns about the impacts on Elm Street. So, usually when things happen like this and it’s between like 6, 7 at night, we try to delay enforcement of that parking ban on Elm Street until after 10, which is what we’re doing tonight,” said Reichelt.

Mayor Reichelt says if you can, be mindful of clearing your sidewalks and fire hydrants, ideally within 24 hours of the storm ending, “you know, it’s not just kids that use those sidewalks. A lot of people out, myself as a runner, are out and about. You know, training for marathons, doing all that stuff. And it’s a little sketchy when you’re looking at a snow-covered walkway to run across.”

He also added that as kids return back to school in two weeks, the faster you clear it, the less likely it will turn to ice, “So, just be mindful when you’re out and about driving. It’s winter, it’s snow, it’s going to be a little more treacherous than regular days. But the DPW will be out and about treating this like any other storm.”

Mayor Reichelt said he will make an announcement by robo call when the parking ban has ended.

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