NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 18, 2004
4 a.m.

THINGS GETTING BACK TO NORMAL IN CARY

CARY , NC – With the exception of sanding and salting a few bridges, Town of Cary Snow Fighters have had little to keep them busy overnight.  Roads and intersections look good, and there have been no storm-related traffic accidents reported in Cary overnight.  Still, drivers are urged be on the lookout for slick spots, giving themselves plenty of extra time to reach destinations.   

SOLID WASTE & RECYCLING
Wednesday collection is taking place today but only where garbage has been brought to the curb.  As always, customers should bring solid waste to the curb for collection during and after bad weather since, for their safety and to protect yards, collection crews will not pick up garbage from backyards.  Citizens who are not physically able to take their garbage to the curb can call customer service at (919) 469-4090 to arrange for special assistance. 

OPENINGS & CLOSINGS
A decision regarding parks, recreation, and cultural resources programs for Wednesday will be made at 7 a.m.   Please call PRCR at (919) 469-4061 for a recorded message regarding that decision. 

Cary ’s Transit Service, C-Tran, follows the same schedule as Wake County Public Schools.  Those having reservations for Wednesday are encouraged to call C-Tran at (919) 481-2020 to discuss the schedule. 

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NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 17, 2004
4 p.m.

ROADS STILL OKAY IN CARY

CARY, NC – Roads remain in relatively good shape late this afternoon in the East’s “Hottest Town”; still, drivers should exercise extreme caution as they travel, giving themselves plenty of extra time to reach destinations.  There has been one storm-related traffic accident reported in Cary this afternoon; that makes a total of two for the day.  

Town of Cary Snow Fighters will remain on 12-hour shifts into the evening awaiting any further precipitation.  In anticipation of the need for clearing streets, please do not leave vehicles parked on the street since plows cannot clear roads blocked by them.  

SOLID WASTE & RECYCLING
Crews plan to collect Wednesday garbage tomorrow but only where garbage has been brought to the curb.  As always, customers should bring solid waste to the curb for collection during and after bad weather since, for their safety and to protect yards, collection crews will not pick up garbage from backyards.  Citizens who are not physically able to take their garbage to the curb can call customer service at (919) 469-4090 to arrange for special assistance.  

OPENINGS & CLOSINGS
All parks, recreation, and cultural resources programs beginning at 5 p.m. or later have been canceled for this evening.  PRCR facilities will close at 6 p.m.   A decision regarding programs on Wednesday, February 18th will be made by 7 a.m.   Please call PRCR at (919) 469-4061 for a recorded message with the latest information.

Cary ’s Transit Service, C-Tran, follows the same schedule as Wake County Public Schools.  Those having reservations for Wednesday are encouraged to call C-Tran at (919) 481-2020 to discuss the schedule.  

COMMUNICATIONS
Please do not call 911 unless there is an emergency posing an immediate threat to life, health, or property.  All non-emergency snow calls should be placed to (919) 469-4090 during regular business hours.  Complete severe weather information is also available on the Town’s Web site, www.townofcary.org.  

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NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 17, 2004
11:30 a.m.

ROADS STILL OKAY IN CARY

CARY, NC – Snow began falling in Cary just before 8 a.m. but not before Town of Cary Snow Fighters could lay down more sand and salt on several slick spots.  Fortunately, roads remain in relatively good shape in the East’s “ Hottest Town ”; still, drivers should exercise extreme caution as they travel, giving themselves plenty of extra time to reach destinations.  There has been one storm-related traffic accident reported in Cary since snow began falling this morning; there were no serious injuries.   

If the snow begins to accumulate on roads, crews will be sanding, salting, and plowing Cary ’s major roads, intersections, and bridges followed by roads in subdivisions according to the solid waste collection routes.  The Town does not use its public resources to treat or clear private roads or parking lots, including those in apartment complexes.  

SOLID WASTE & RECYCLING
Tuesday collection is taking place today but only where garbage has been brought to the curb.  As always, customers should bring solid waste to the curb for collection during and after bad weather since, for their safety and to protect yards, collection crews will not pick up garbage from backyards.  Citizens who are not physically able to take their garbage to the curb can call customer service at (919) 469-4090 to arrange for special assistance.  

OPENINGS & CLOSINGS
Parks, recreation, and cultural resources programs beginning before 5 p.m. are currently be held as scheduled; however, please call PRCR facilities to confirm if weather deteriorates this afternoon.  A decision will be made by 3 p.m. regarding programs that are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. or later. 

Cary ’s Transit Service, C-Tran, will fulfill the existing schedule for today but will not accept further reservations at this time.  C-Tran follows the same schedule as Wake County Public Schools.  Those having reservations for Wednesday are encouraged to call C-Tran at (919) 481-4020 to discuss the schedule.  

COMMUNICATIONS
Please do not call 911 unless there is an emergency posing an immediate threat to life, health, or property.  All non-emergency snow calls should be placed to (919) 469-4090.  Complete severe weather information is also available on the Town’s Web site, www.townofcary.org.

The next winter weather update will be issued at around 4 p.m. today unless changing conditions warrant sooner action.

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NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 17, 2004
6 a.m.

CARY AWAITS TUESDAY’S WINTER BLAST 

CARY, NC – It was relatively quiet after midnight in Cary as one crew spent the early morning hours dusting a few slick spots around town while the rest of the Town of Cary’s Snow Fighters got some rest at home before reporting back at 6:30 a.m. for the next round of predicted winter weather.  If and when the next wintry blast comes in, crews will shift back to sanding, salting, and clearing Cary ’s major roads, intersections, and bridges followed by roads in subdivisions according to the solid waste collection routes. 

So far, Cary Snow Fighters have laid down an estimated 1,000 tons of sand/salt mix along Cary ’s major roads.  More than 2,000 tons remain on hand for tomorrow’s weather, along with 19 plows and 10 motor graders. 

SOLID WASTE & RECYCLING
Regular Tuesday collection is planned for today.

As always, please bring solid waste to the curb for collection during and after bad weather since, for their safety and to protect yards, collection crews will not pick up garbage from backyards.  Citizens who are not physically able to take their garbage to the curb can call customer service at (919) 469-4090 to arrange for special assistance. 

OPENINGS & CLOSINGS
All Town of Cary programs and services are on schedule this morning.  

The next winter weather update will be issued at around 4 p.m. Tuesday unless changing conditions warrant sooner action. 

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NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 16, 2004
5 p.m.

CARY PREPARES FOR NEXT WINTER BLAST

CARY , NC – While sunshine and tremendous efforts of Town of Cary Snow Fighters have most roads in Cary relatively clear of last night’s snow and ice, crews remain on 12-hour shifts as they prepare for the next winter blast expected to hit tomorrow.  With today’s thaw, crews plan to deal with individual icing incidents that will occur as the melt refreezes when the sun goes down.  

In anticipation of the need for clearing tomorrow morning, please do not leave vehicles parked on the street since plows cannot clear roads blocked by them.  

If and when the next wintry blast comes in, crews will shift back to sanding, salting, and clearing Cary ’s major roads, intersections, and bridges followed by roads in subdivisions according to the solid waste collection routes.  

So far, Cary Snow Fighters have laid down an estimated 1,000 tons of sand/salt mix along Cary ’s major roads.  More than 2,000 tons remain on hand for tomorrow’s weather, along with 19 plows and 10 motor graders.  

SOLID WASTE & RECYCLING
Always bring solid waste to the curb for collection during and after bad weather since, for their safety and to protect yards, collection crews will not pick up garbage from backyards.  Citizens who are not physically able to take their garbage to the curb can call customer service at (919) 469-4090 to arrange for special assistance.  

The next winter weather update will be issued around at 6 a.m. Tuesday unless changing conditions warrant sooner action.

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PRIMARY CONTACTS:

Mike Bajorek, Public Works Director, (919) 469-4090
Bill Coleman, Town Manager, (919) 469-4002
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, (919) 393-4383

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 16, 2004
4 a.m.

 
SECOND WINTER STORM OF FEBRUARY LIGHTLY COVERS CARY 

CARY , NC – Town of Cary Snow Fighters are working hard to clear about an inch of icy slush from Cary roads.  Major roads are in good shape, but most neighborhood streets in Cary are slushy and slick.  Drivers should delay travel as long as possible this morning and allow extra time to reach destinations. 

Crews focused on thoroughfares and collectors streets overnight and have now moved into the primary roads in subdivisions in western Cary .  They will continue from this point clockwise through town clearing roads in neighborhoods according to the standard garbage pickup schedule. 

“While the snow has stopped falling for now, we’re concerned about the forecast for the next several days that calls for more wintry weather,” said Public Works Division Director Mike Bajorek.  “Temperatures are relatively mild right now, so we want to get as much of this off of the roads as possible as soon as possible in case more does fall and freeze over the next two days.” 

Town of Cary crews will continue their 12-hour emergency shifts throughout the day, working around the clock to keep roads clear until the threat of winter weather subsides. 

Please do not leave vehicles parked on the street since plows cannot clear roads blocked by them. 

ACCIDENTS
Three accidents occurred overnight, none with injuries. 

SOLID WASTE & RECYCLING
The Town of Cary does not collect garbage on Mondays. 

YARD WASTE
Town of Cary crews will begin regular yard waste collection today, beginning in the western part of town going north in a clockwise pattern.  Unfortunately, crews will likely not be able to complete full town-wide collection today; those who are missed will have regular collection next Monday.  

The next winter weather update will be issued around 4 p.m. Monday unless changing conditions warrant sooner action.

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PRIMARY CONTACTS:

Mike Bajorek, Public Works Director, (919) 469-4090
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, (919) 393-4383

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 15, 2004
5 p.m.

 
CARY BEGINS WORKING 2^ND WINTER STORM OF FEBRUARY  

CARY, NC – While it’s only been three days since the last snow warning was issued, Town of Cary Snow Fighters and equipment have been readied once again to battle the winter weather that threatens the Triangle.  Snow Fighters reported to duty early this afternoon and began pre-salting Cary ’s thoroughfares, bridges, and overpasses in hopes of reducing the impact of the predicted wintry mix.   

Some areas in Cary reported seeing sleet around 3 p.m.  

Generally, the Town of Cary begins its winter attacks by sanding and salting state roads, bridges, and intersections that lie within Cary ’s corporate limits because these roadways are the largest and most heavily traveled.  These thoroughfares and collector streets – such as Cary Parkway , Kildaire Farm Road , and Maynard – are followed by work on primary roads in subdivisions, subdivision streets, and cul-de-sacs.  The Town of Cary does not use public resources clear private roads or parking lots, including those in apartment and condo complexes.  

“We put a lot of thought and planning into how we can make the biggest difference for the most people as quickly as possible,” said Public Works Division Director Mike Bajorek.  “Because we can’t treat every street in Cary at the same time, we set and adjust our clearing schedule based on priorities that we are constantly monitoring,”  

Bajorek said that the first priority is major streets because they serve the most people, including emergency workers.  Another consideration is delivery of Town services, so a decision about which subdivision to plow first might be based on the solid waste collection schedule.  

“We like to get Snow Fighters into neighborhoods just before the solid waste crews go out,” added Bajorek.  

Town of Cary crews are now on the customary 12-hour emergency shifts and will be working around the clock to keep roads clear until the threat of winter weather subsides.  

Should this winter weather event continue as predicted, citizens are reminded to:

• Not park on streets so that plows and other Town equipment can service the area.
• Bring garbage to the curb since, for their safety and to protect yards, collection crews will not pick up garbage from backyards.  Citizens who are not physically able to take their garbage to the curb can call customer service at (919) 469-4090 to arrange for special assistance.

The next winter weather update will be issued around 4 a.m. Monday unless changing conditions warrant sooner action.

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PRIMARY CONTACTS:

Mike Bajorek, Public Works Director, (919) 469-4090
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, (919) 393-4383