City of Laurel, Maryland

            This is a refuse and recycling and snow emergency update from the City of Laurel Emergency Operations Department. It remains the intent of the Department of Public Works to collect Mondays refuse and recycling tomorrow, Tuesday, February 9, 2010.  Please make sure you place your refuse and recyclables in a location where they can be seen by the crews making the collections.  If you have any problems, please contact Public Works at (301) 725-0088.  If any further changes to refuse and recycling collections become necessary, the information will be forwarded to residents as soon as possible. 

             All Parks and Recreation facilities will be open tomorrow. However, early closings are anticipated if weather predictions are accurate. The Prince George’s County Board of Education has cancelled school for Tuesday, February 9, 2010.  Accordingly, there will not be any pre-school services at the Robert J. DiPietro Community Center located at 7901 Cypress Street.

             Mayor Craig A. Moe would like to remind residents that the snow emergency and declaration of a local emergency remain in effect.  The snow emergency and local declaration will likely be extended based upon weather predictions for 12-20 inches of additional snow tomorrow. Please remember not to park on the even side of the city’s snow emergency routes.  Based on the additional snow fall predictions, the City intends to strictly enforce the parking restrictions on the snow emergency routes. Mayor Moe asks that residents continue to remain off the roads as much as possible to allow Public Works to clear the roadways safely.  

              The City of Laurel Emergency Operations Department and Department of Public Works are continuing to work around the clock to clear secondary and side streets.  Please understand this is a monumental effort because of the record breaking amount of snow.  In most cases, plows are not enough which has forced the workers to use front end loaders.  The City has contracted with snow removal contractors and has acquired additional front end loaders to assist with clearing side streets and courts. We are asking for your patience.

              Citizens are reminded that when clearing sidewalks, cars, driveways or areas near the street, to not throw the snow into the street. This creates a hazard for motorists and creates more problems for Public Works when they are clearing the streets. We urge residents to locate buried fire hydrants in their neighborhood and work together to clear them of ice and snow.

              The Emergency Operations Department is asking residents to please check on their neighbors, especially elderly neighbors, to ensure that they are warm and safe. If you have any questions regarding snow removal, please call Public Works at 301-725-0088. If you are in need of emergency service, Fire and EMS can be reached by calling 911. The Laurel Police can be reached by calling 301-725-3000 for emergency needs. Thank you.