Lynn looking at hauling plan to ease snow burden

LYNN – With snow totals for the last week approaching 4 feet and downtown snow piles towering over cars, city officials are preparing a plan to haul snow at night from locations across the city to make way for future flakes.The hauling plan?s specifics have yet to be announced, but DPW commissioner Andrew Hall envisions the city hiring a contractor such as Turner Trucking to bring heavy equipment into snow-clogged neighborhoods with police directing people to clear vehicles from streets during the clearing operations.?We can?t really plow with cars on the streets but residents need somewhere to park,” he said.Hall did not specify on Tuesday when the hauling operation will begin and where the designated dumping spot for snow will be, but he said the operation underscores city officials? concerns about making local streets safer by cutting down high intersection embankments and widening snow-choked streets.The hauling plan won support from downtown drivers and pedestrians on Tuesday even as they questioned the decision to lift an on-street parking ban. As she crept along in Liberty Street traffic, Lynn resident Melissa Akelian said leaving the ban in place through Tuesday evening would have allowed city crews and contractors to remove snow from intersections and street edges.?They should have probably left the ban on a little longer,” she said.Although the ban expired at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, city officials urged drivers to try to avoid parking on streets for several reasons.?The amount of snow has left some streets very narrow and without adequate parking to accommodate both the traffic flow and parking on both sides of many streets,” said mayoral aide Mary Chalmers.Gabriela Gondim learned a hard lesson about parking on Stephen Street during last year?s snowstorms. Both of her family?s cars were towed by city contractors at a cost of $300 in towing fees. She rented a driveway spot for $50 a month this winter. On Tuesday, she said the city needs to speed up snow removal work.?It?s impossible for people to park and it is dangerous for people walking,” she said.Melvin Lark agreed but the Essex Street resident passed on shoveling out his car Tuesday in favor of walking downtown. He said the city should have kept Monday?s parking ban in place on Tuesday while snow removal continued.?They will just have to put it on again to clear away rest of the snow,” Lark said.Rossetti Restaurant owner and chef Robert Rossetti shoveled off his Liberty Street sidewalk on Tuesday, saying he takes winter weather in stride. He closed his business last Tuesday and Wednesday for the safety of his employees and customers.?These are decisions you have to make and manage yourself through. You to roll with the punches,” he said.