Hamilton Parking Ban to Begin at Noon

Hamilton has enacted a parking ban that will go into place at noon on Friday.

It was announced on Thursday evening at about 7:15 p.m. via a Connect-CTY phone and e-mail message.

It is the first time that a townwide parking ban has been enacted since Town Meeting voters approved changing the winter parking rules in October 2011 to a bylaw that bans on-street parking in the winter only when a parking ban is announced based on a forecast for 4 inches or more of snow.

The parking ban will remain "until the weather emergency has been lifted," the announcement said.

The ban means that on-street parking is banned all over town, except by Fire Department, Police Department, Department of Public Works and "other public safety and public utility repair vehicles," according to the message.

Vehicles are also prohibited from parking in a way that will interfere with plowing and sanding.

Violators face a $20 fine and could have their vehicle towed at their expense.

"Please assist emergency crews during this major snow event by keeping all streets and sidewalks clear of snow," the announcement stated.