***Press Release***

The following information is important for the residents of the Town of Reading to understand during this winter of extreme weather conditions:

Recycling and Rubbish Collection:

While we are having these extreme weather conditions, residents can help the Town and our recycling and rubbish hauler by:

• Not placing recycling bins and rubbish containers or bags curbside for collection until the morning of your trash day (no later than 6:30 AM) if overnight snow is forecast
• Listen and watch for announcements on delayed collection.  We will use reverse calling to let residents know of delays in collection, and announcements will be made in the local media, on RCTV, and on the Town web site.  Given our apparent weather patterns, we will be making announcements more frequently
• Make sure that your recycling and rubbish containers are accessible for collection and not blocking sidewalks – it impedes snow clearing on those sidewalks that the Town clears (even though that clearing will be delayed in many instances), and has resulted in damage to containers and to snow clearing equipment 

Clearing of intersections, widening streets

• As needed and as we have the resources, the Town is clearing high piles of snow at intersections to improve visibility.  The focus is first on major roadways, and second in areas of high pedestrian activity including around schools.
• When these intersections are cleared, the snow is being pushed back, and it is not always being pushed onto public property.  We as a community appreciate the cooperation of abutters in these instances.
• Because of the large amount of snow and frequency of snow storms, roadways are becoming more and more narrow.  To address this, the Town is using equipment normally intended for sidewalk plowing (small snow blowers) to widen out streets.  This is being done as time and resources permit.
• Because of all of the other snow-related activity, residents whose sidewalks are cleared by the Town should expect long delays in getting this work done, and parents and commuters should plan accordingly. 

Remember – it is a violation of local Bylaw to place snow onto cleared sidewalks or roadways.  We need your help and cooperation on this.