WINTER STORM – SNOW EMERGENCY

WINTER STORM – SNOW EMERGENCY 

Weather forecasters are calling for Severe Winter Weather! 

We anticipate snow accumulation beginning early Sunday morning, January 25th around 1 a.m. and turning to sleet and rain at around 6 p.m. Sunday evening. Precipitation will end in the morning hours of Monday, January 26th. Forecasters are calling for 8-10 inches of accumulation in the Gloucester County area.

Our public works department with the assistance of the municipal utilities authority is preparing for the impending snow and will begin addressing our roadways by initially salting and plowing. We will have all hands on deck, and we anticipate having up-to 13 plow trucks working throughout the storm until our municipal roads are cleared community-wide. Crews will be prioritizing areas for essential emergency services first, and will then navigate through our neighborhoods.

Please be reminded that there is NO PARKING on any township street during a snowstorm or during a snow emergency when snow removal equipment is in use. We kindly ask residents to remove ALL motor vehicles, portable basketball nets, boats, and recreational vehicles, etc. from our streets to allow our public works department to safely and effectively plow in a timely manner. 

Vehicles parked on roadways will get plowed in, and will prevent our crews from safely and properly clearing the roads near your home. You may also be subjecting yourselves to ticketing and towing.

Please expect plows to potentially push snow onto sidewalks and to block driveway aprons – this is unavoidable. Please do not throw snow or use snow blowers to push snow back onto the streets.

Chestnut Branch Park is one of the most desirable places to sled and enjoy snow related activities during and after snowfall. The gates to Chestnut Branch Park will be closed until the conclusion of the storm, and the parking lot will not be accessible until it has been completely cleared and is deemed to be safe for vehicular traffic. 

There is absolutely NO parking along Main Street near Chestnut Branch Park. This area is posted with temporary ‘no parking signs’ and will be strictly enforced by our police department. Those who choose to park illegally will be ticketed by our police department, as this is a major public safety concern with the high volume of sledders coming into the area. You have been forewarned!

Our Township Municipal Offices for non-essential personnel along with the Mantua Township Regional Municipal Court and Court Offices will be closed for business on Monday, January 26th.

Trash and recycling pick-up, etc. has been cancelled for Monday, January 26th. Please do not put trash or recycling containers curbside on Sunday night into Monday morning as it will impede our plows. If your scheduled pick-up day is on Mondays, it will be on Tuesday, January 27th this coming week. Please expect delays!

I spoke with Superintendent Christine Trampe of the Mantua School District. The decision for potential school closure on Monday, January 26th will be determined on Sunday. 

The Gloucester County Overnight Warming Center located at 1200 North Delsea Drive in Clayton, New Jersey will be open throughout the weekend from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

We are asking that you stay home during storm activity, and don’t travel unless absolutely necessary.

Enjoy time with family and relax at home while watching the NFL conference championship football games on Sunday.

Please be safe and God bless our great community!

Respectfully,

Mayor Bob Zimmerman