In preparation for the winter weather season, Town officials remind residents and businesses about Town policies for handling snow, sleet, ice and other wintry precipitation.

Snow Emergency Routes.  A snow emergency is declared when two or more inches of snow, sleet or other icy precipitation has accumulated on Town roadways.  When a snow emergency is in effect, all vehicles must be removed from streets designated as Snow Emergency Routes.  Any vehicle not removed from the designated streets when a snow emergency is in effect will be towed at the owner’s expense.  Snow Emergency Routes are:

• Market Street, from Fairview Street to the Route 7/15 Bypass
• King Street, from the Union Cemetery to Country Club Drive
• Loudoun Street, from Liberty Street to Harrison Street

Please see the attached Snow Emergency Route map.

The City of Manassas Department of Public Works and Utilities serves more than 15,000 customers and with the cold season coming, it’s just as important for Manassas to prepare for the cooler temperatures as it is for the home owner. Manassas City’s ongoing tree-trimming program helps to prevent most electric interruptions during storms, which costs $60,000 annually. With cooler nights already forcing many to turn their heat on, City of Manassas suggests these eight tips in helping to conserve this year’s heating bill. For more information and tips, go to www.manassascity.org.

 “Preparing your home before the winter months is essential in helping to conserve energy and save on heating bills,” said Mike Moon, City of Manassas, director of utilities and public works.

Here are some steps to help save on heating bills:

On June 29th, like so many in the path of the Derecho, my power went out around 10PM. For roughly two days. Almost immediately I felt an itchiness arising from my carpet. By Sunday, since my apartment faces West and catches the afternoon Sun, I sought shelter in a hotel, as the temperature in my unit was fast approaching 90 degrees. I'm originally from upstate New York. Growing up, Summer was six weeks. I don't do heat, let alone this!

When I swung by my abode Monday morning, I had power, so I checked out of my temporary digs. The A/C was on; the apartment was cooling; but the scratchiness remained.