City spokeswoman Jackie Rossetti said Department of Public Works trucks are storing snow in Yard 21 in Assembly Square and Harris Park. - Photo by Bobbie Toner

Officials look for new spots for cleared snow

By George P. Hassett

Shoveling is turning out to be the easy part.

As another major storm is predicted for Wednesday, city officials are scrambling for spots to store the snow that is filling up New England’s most densely populated city.

City spokeswoman Jackie Rossetti said Department of Public Works trucks are storing snow in Yard 21 in Assembly Square and Harris Park. “The snow is hitting us faster than we can get rid of it,” she said.

More than 60 inches of snow has fallen in the area since Christmas and six more inches was expected on Tuesday before another major storm expected on Wednesday.

Beginning Monday at midnight until 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Teele Square and Union Square was closed to traffic as DPW trucks cleared the streets of excess snow.

During Tuesday’s storm, a four car accident with two injuries was reported on Washington Street and the 88 bus broke down near Washington and McGrath during the evening commute.

The snow banks piling up on sidewalks and around fire hydrants have also been cited as a public safety concern by city officials. Ward One Alderman Bill Roche said hydrants were hidden from view as firefighters worked to battle a Fairfax Street blaze in which an elderly mother and her middle age son died.

“Residents are not doing a good job [shoveling out hydrants], the city certainly isn’t shoveling. I don’t know what the answer is.”

On Wednesday, conditions were expected to worsen with a mix of snow and sleet.