After the 5 a.m. GR school snow day wake up call and the sound of the plows on my street, there was nothing to do but head outside and assess the damage. Like everyone else in Baristaville, I was snow stunned by what I saw. This was not the six inches we were promised, and the plow debris came up to my knees.
But, I couldn’t deny that it was beautiful and not too cold. I grabbed a shovel and started the day’s work, in the company of only a few other people awake and digging out.
One neighbor began the mile walk to the midtown-direct train with a good attitude, and another stopped to chat from the window of his very large SUV. One on foot and one in a tank, both smiling. I love my block.
But, all isn’t running well — or at all — today. There’s no DeCamp at the moment. We got this tip from Clever Commute:
[Decamp-33-66] Bus service still suspended. Just called the dispatcher. They said to watch the alerts tab on the website for updates.
Despite the lack of service, there’s at least one DeCamp bus out there on the road, because we just got news from a Clever Commuter that it’s stuck on Route 3. “[Decamp-33-66] Rt 3 dead stop before 495. What a mess.”
Millburn, Glen Ridge and Montclair have suspended sanitation pick up and all area schools are closed, except for the colleges and universities, which have delayed openings. See BaristaKids for updates and additional closing information.
Montclair has cancelled all Department of Recreation programs for this evening, including the Mountain Creek ski trip (it’ll be rescheduled to a date later in the season).
Meanwhile, we received an email from Bloomfield’s brand new Township Administrator, Yoshi Manale, sharing information from the Director of Parks and Recreation, Anthony Nesto.
“While many surrounding towns canceled their AM NJT Shuttle Service, we did not skip a beat. Both our North and South end runs started their pickups on time, slightly after 5am. Although ridership was down ( staying home must have appeared to be a better option) we still picked up 30 plus people this morning. Michael, our maintenance men, and Skip and Joe ( our two shuttle drivers ) all played a role in NOT CANCELING SERVICE. By the way, that quote ["We are better than the mailman!"] was from a rider, not me!”
There have been some 1800 reported power outages in the state, according to PSE&G, but none in Baristaville. Since downed wires are often caused by heavy snow, be on the alert, and always consider a wire live — don’t approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything that it might be in contact with. call 1-800-436-PSEG and tell PSE&G the nearest cross street.
NJ Transit seems to be running more or less OK, with no major delays being reported. Systemwide cross-honoring is in effect all day today.
Maplewood Online has a thread going about snow blower etiquette, and how early one can rev up the engine. Seems the general consensus is that anytime is OK, as people need to get to work.
The question also comes up about whether those that have snow blowers are obligated to clear neighbor’s paths along with their own. We once had a guy on our block who cleared the sidewalks up half the street, just because he could. Are there snowblower do-gooders out there in Baristaville, or is it each for him/herself?
Another early riser this morning was Montclair’s “Toffee Queen” Nicky Messiah, who stopped in at Raymond’s for a cup of coffee. It was open at 8 a.m., though the cooks had yet to arrive. Here’s her video of the quiet moment at the Church Street restaurant.
I now understand why the suicide rate is higher in Scandanavia than Hawaii. This is starting to get old. Very old.
Great picture, Erika. But I think the thing to have done at 5 am was pull up the covers.
Just about start shoveling. Looks beautiful.
Snowy knees slogging to Walnut Street for the 6:08, which finally came. Midtown pretty dreamy and empty. Give my best back to the cover-pullers in B’ville Debbie.
AHHhhh, to be retired, and await the snow plower to show up and do this job for me. The Jeep sits in the driveway, doing its best imitation of a giant marshmellow, while the show cars relax in enclosed heated comfort, and no woofer woofing to go for a walk. No care if schools are open or closed, nor worry about bus schedules, either. Yesterday we fought the mob scene at the W.O. Shop Rite and they did not have e’thing the wife wanted, so we did the Livingston Shop-Rite for the “Other stuff’. It was like “It’s FREE today – just come & get it.” People were polite and all – just too many people. 28 check outs and all were “OPEN” It will all pass…. ((maybe)).
This sure beats tornadoes.
There is so much snow on my block from the past month it is overwhelming. I started to shovel out but I don’t even know where to dump my shoveled snow. And once I do get out ….how do I get back in? There isn’t going to be a parking spot on my block until spring.
Oh and to the neighbor I’ve been watching shovel and dump the snow in front of my car one word – Kharma !
Have we hit some kind of a record yet?
It sure is pretty. The snow ladened trees with just a bit of melting crystals dripping from the branches are waiting for my camera. I’m going for a walk.
Montclair Township did a great job on the snow plowing today… every road I saw was clear as of early this morning (my street by 5:00 a.m.). Commuter lot at train station plowed. Train platform cleared…job well done!
To top it off, the 8:15 train departed pretty much on time and the cars were empty…got into NY Penn with a slight delay. I’d rather be skiing but you can’t have it all.
My neighbors and I were out by 8 a.m. clearing walkways. It’s too bad the snow is so annoying because it is breathtakingly beautiful. My 5-pound dog is over it, though.
I was on 280 at 6:15 am and there wasn’t a drop of snow. They did a great job.
I live across from DPW – they Do not plow my road – something bout being a private road, but was told on the last snow fall that they can plow this road, but they have to be careful because it isn’t paved…the first snow storm – no plow, nothing, the 2nd snow storm we got salted and plowed, this snowstorm – nothing….:(…
Every road cleared? Don’t know what roads other people have been on. I went out around 9:30 — Bloomfield Avenue is a mess. Turned down Grove, also a mess. By the time I got out of Pathmark, at least Grove had been plowed. Bloomfield — still a mess. Just awful.
Chix, I’d like to move in with you for the rest of the winter. Every road – wow! They didn’t do our street until about 9:30, and it was only pne pass. And the only reason why the town truck even made it up was because the neighbor’s private service had plowed his way up earlier (and he plowed his way down too, twice). if it weren’t for him we’d be doomed. The town took one swipe and left.
That doesn’t count the scofflaw who parks overnight on our street every night, hampering egress from two driveways as well as the walkway for another house. He doesn’t even live on our street. Calls to the PD go completely ignored. But today’s the day. if I can’t get my car out because of where he’s parked, I will make them come out and tow him away. Sick ‘n Tired!
Luckily I have the best boss ever and am able to work from home.
Kay – n.p. – I’ll ask the queen of the castle if you’ll pick up my tab at the Mountainside E.R.
NYC record in 1925 for January snowfall is broken…they are saying more coming this weekend, which may make this the snowiest month in NYC history (per Bloomberg).
Kudos to Montclair’s plow crews. They were on top of this one. Now, I like snow as much as anyone, but enough already. Snow banks in in along the driveway are so big it feels like we’re walled in. I’ve just plain run out of room to put the stuff. Too tired from digging out to enjoy it. Is it too early for a Martini?
Can anyone tell me why they decided to tow cars on grove street but not on any of the side streets? I could barely get up my driveway.
Grove Street is a county road, and you cannot park there if there is snow.