Advisory Message has been issued by the Lower Merion Township Police Department.

Friday February 5, 2010 15:55 PM EST

LM Township has declared a Snow Emergency effective 6:00 P.M., Friday, 2-5-10. More information is available via email/web.

Snow Emergency Declared

The Township of Lower Merion has declared a snow emergency effective 6 p.m. this evening, Friday, February 5th, in anticipation of substantial snowfall and accumulation. All Township libraries will be closed on Saturday, February 6th and all weekend recreation programs have been cancelled. The Bala Gym, Ardmore Avenue Community Center (AACC) and Belmont Hills Community Center will be closed this weekend; however, AACC programs for Friday evening, February 5th have not been cancelled. Early closure is possible depending on weather conditions.

“Our goal is to protect the public safety and keep citizens off of roadways to enable Township crews to efficiently perform cleanup,” noted Police Supt. Michael J. McGrath, Township Emergency Management Coordinator.

Following a winter storm, it is the responsibility of all property owners to clear a 30-inch wide pathway in the sidewalk in front of their respective property within 30 hours. Failure to comply is a violation (Township Code “Clearing of sidewalks required; piling of snow in streets prohibited 133-4) that could result in a fine of up $600. It is also a violation for private contractors to plow or pile snow onto Township roads.

“The purpose of this code is to reduce the risk to public safety,” remarked Supt. Michael J. McGrath of the Lower Merion Police Department. “Removing ice and snow from sidewalks reduces the likelihood of injuries to pedestrians.”

During a snow emergency:

• No vehicles are permitted to be parked along the snow emergency route. (Emergency routes are identified by official signs and are located at the beginning and end of each route. Township Code145-61 through 145-66 identifies all the emergency snow routes by street name.)

• Vehicles remaining on an emergency snow route are in violation and will be removed by the owner or the Lower Merion Police Department. Vehicles removed by the Police Department will be stored in an impound lot for safety until returned to the owner. Owners must pay for the tow and storage of there vehicle and a fine of $50 plus court costs.

• Vehicles are prohibited from parking in the circular part of any cul-de-sac, which impedes the snow removal process.

The Lower Merion Township Fire Department is also asking citizens to “adopt a fire hydrant” and help clear snow that could impede volunteer firefighters’ access to a hydrant.

For complete information on snow emergencies and snow removal in Lower Merion Township, visit www.lowermerion.org and follow the Department prompt to “Public Works – Snow Emergencies.” Viewers can also tune in LMTV (Comcast channel 7/Verizon Channel 27) for continuous information.