By Carol McCracken

The snow is coming promise the local weathermen – maybe even next week. Whenever it does arrive, the City of Portland wants car owners to be prepared and ready so they will not be one of the many who have their cars towed when the first plowable snow hits the ground running.

To receive email notices from Portland when a city-wide parking ban is implemented, you can sign up on www.portlandmaine.gov. or by calling the hotline at 879-0300. Also check out the Time and Temperature sign in downown Portland for up-to-date postings.

When a parking ban is declared, all vehicles must be off city streets by 10 pm until 6 am the following day. Vehicles left on the street will be towed at the owner’s expense. (It’s not cheap). Vehicles will be towed to the city’s impound lot located at the International Marine Terminal on Commercial Street – please call 774-3025 should that be necessary.

One convenient designated parking area for Hill residents is in the lots off Cutter Street on the Eastern Promenade. Amother lot is across the street from the International Marine Terminal on Commercial Street – at the corner of Park and Commercial Streets.

There are other designated places as well in the City. Vehicles can begin to park in these designated areas at 5 pm the night a parking ban is declared. Vehicles must be moved from City lots by 7 pm the morning the ban is lifted.

And with this bit of information, let the snow bans come and the snowplows as well – MHN readers are ready!