Closures abound as snowstorm hits region

With Gov. Charlie Baker warning about “historic” snowfalls through today into Wednesday, amplified by blizzard-force winds and coastal flooding, Lynn-area communities imposed parking bans and cancelled schools to keep people off the streets and out of harm’s way.?It is extremely important everyone stay off the roads. There’s a real danger in getting stranded,” Baker told a television audience at midday Monday as he prepared to tackle his first major storm as governor.Saugus Public Schools are closed today. According to assistant police chief Ronald Giorgetti, although there is an on-street parking ban, off-site parking is available at Saugus High School in the upper parking lot. He said a parking ban is in effect from 3 p.m. Monday to 5 p.m. Wednesday, or longer, as needed. Officials will make a decision this afternoon on whether schools will be open Wednesday.?We ask that everyone avoid unnecessary travel, but what they can do is check on elderly neighbors, ensure heating vents and furnaces aren’t obstructed by snow, and keep hydrated,” Giorgetti said.Normally open until 7 p.m. on Monday, Saugus Town Hall closed at 3 p.m. A sign posted on the doors of Town Hall read: “Due to the storm, there will not be trash or recycling collection in Saugus on Tuesday, Jan. 27. We will be on a one-day delayed collection for the remainder of the week. If your normal day is Tuesday, it will be on Wednesday. Friday’s route will be done Saturday.” Giorgetti said, “We ask that people do not put out their trash Tuesday to make snow removal easier.”Deputy fire chief Michael Newbury said storms, blizzards included, are some of the busiest times of the year, with issues ranging from power lines down, which set off fire alarms, and flooding near Saugus River, to shoveling/snow blower injuries, including heart attacks.Newbury said, if needed, the Veterans Memorial School will be the primary shelter, and the senior center will be back-up and it would allow pets.Swampscott Public Schools cancelled classes Tuesday, while the town ordered a parking ban beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Town Hall is also closed today.The city of Revere declared a parking ban on city streets beginning at 4 p.m. on Monday and in force “until further notice.” The MBTA, in cooperation with the city, announced overflow parking is available in the Wonderland rapid transit station parking garage on North Shore Road. The daily parking rate is $5 through 5 a.m. on Thursday, said Miles Lang-Kennedy, chief of staff for Mayor Daniel Rizzo.There is also a parking ban on Revere Beach Boulevard, Winthrop Parkway and Ocean Avenue.Revere public schools are closed today and Wednesday and City Hall is closed today. Lang-Kennedy said the senior center, 25 Winthrop Ave., will open at 8 a.m. today as a city warming shelter for residents who lose heat. Trash collection will be delayed one day with no curbside collection today.Marblehead cancelled activities and services at the Council on Aging, and all town offices are closed including the Mary Alley Building, Abbot Hall, the Abbot Public Library and the community center. Police also urged residents to stay off the roads beginning at 8 p.m. Monday and continuing until the end of the storm. The town also delayed today’s trash and recycling pickup by a day.Marblehead Public Schools canceled afternoon and evening activities Monday and all school and after-school activities for Tuesday.According to Tim Furlong of the Nahant Police Department, roads will be closed depending on the tide and surf. A parking ban went into effect at 5 p.m. Monday until further notice.Town offices are closed today, but the DPW is open. The Johnson School is closed today and Wednesday.In Peabody, a parking ban took effect Monday at 3 p.m. until further notice. There is no trash pick up today. Residents are being asked to stay inside and off the roads due to low visibility and high winds that may bring down tree limbs and power lines. Also, residents are asked to check on neig