Concord's Storm Center: Roads are Slick and a Few Other Observations

7:40 p.m. -- Following the expiration at 4 p.m. of the Gov's travel ban, Patch hit the streets of Concord. Well, more like your editor rode in the passenger's seat of a car that drove very slowly around the still snowy streets. This video clip shows the road conditions entering Concord Center from Route 62.

Also of note: Less than 50 percent of sidewalks were clear, so those who were out walking dogs or on snow shoes were often in the roadway. Crosby's wasn't open, but CVS was; and Ace Hardware still had a dozen-plus shovels on the shelves.

12:59 p.m. -- Gov. Deval Patrich has announced the driving ban will be lifted statewide as of 4 p.m. today, and has been lifted immediately for Nantucket County and for all communities west of I-91.

11:37 a.m. -- In case you were wondering, there will be no mail delivery today anywhere in New England, according to a decision a USPS spokesperson said was made out of safety concerns.

10:50 a.m. -- As of this hour, the statewide travel ban remains in effect. Speaking of transportation, NECN is reporting that MBTA service will not be restored today; the *goal* is Monday.

10:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 9 -- The forecast today calls for more snow, mostly before 1 p.m., according to the National Weather Service, with additional accumulation of 3 to 7 inches.

Meanwhile, according to an announcement on Patch, the Concord Players have cancelled tonight's performance of "Musical Comedy Murders of 1940." Ticket holders can email tickets@concordplayers.org to exchange them for another performance.

7:28 p.m. -- Concord Recreation (@ConcordRec) tweeted a little while ago: "We will monitor the storm Saturday to determine when the Beede Center will reopen."

5:22 p.m. -- According to a company press release, beginning tonight at 6 p.m. and lasting through 5 a.m. Sunday morning, Cumberland Farms stores that remain open for business will offer a free cup of fresh brewed Farmhouse Blend coffee to all snow plow operators and utility workers.

2:50 p.m. -- The Boston Bruins home game on Saturday has been pushed from a 1 p.m. start to a 7 p.m. start.  

1 p.m. -- Gov. Deval Patrick has signed an executive order banning vehicle traffic effective at 4 p.m. Friday. As well, toll collection will cease at 2 p.m.

12:25 p.m. -- The latest storm-related closure is the Concord Free Public Library, which closed at noontime and announced it would not open tomorrow, Feb. 9. "Currently it is anticipated that the Main Library will open as usual on Sunday, but further updates will be posted if necessary," the announcement said.

Also, the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts has postponed its celebration of National Girl Scout Cookie Day from today, Feb. 8, rescheduling many of its events to next Friday, Feb. 15.

And, as Margaret Carroll-Bergman notes in the comments below, the Starbucks in town has said it would close at noon.

8:55 a.m., Friday, Feb. 8 --

The Concord town offices will be closing at noontime today in anticipation of the oncoming storm, according to a town notification. "Town management will continue to monitor weather conditions throughout the morning, and may adjust the closing time earlier if conditions warrant," the notice said.

UPDATED: 10:55 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 7

Concord's public schools have been cancelled for Friday, Feb. 8 in anticipation of the storm. Fenn School, a private school for boys, also announced it would be closed in anticipation of the storm. Curbside pickup will take place beginning at 6 a.m. this morning.

The latest dispatch from Concord's Emergency Management Center did not indicate that the town offices would be closed Friday. It was unclear at the time of this posting what hours the Concord Free Public Library would keep on Friday, but it did announce the cancellation of its Friday Flicks programs.

On the subject of cancellations, the MBTA announced Thursday that service would be suspended on all lines effetive at 3:30 p.m. on Friday -- that includes the T, Commuter Rail, buses, etc. 

On the local transportation front, CPW was busy Thursday making preparations to keep the roads passable during what's expected to be a serious storm with blizzard conditions and up to two feet of snow.

Original Post

As of Thursday, Feb. 7, most forecasters were predicting snowstorm Nemo will dump up to 24 inches of snow for Concord.

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS/INFO

• In case of emergency, dial 911
• Police Department: 978-318-3400
• Fire Department: 978-318-3488
• CPW: 978-318-3206
• Comcast: 1-800-COMCAST (1-800-266-2278)
• MBTA Service updates

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See a tree down in your neighborhood? Notice a road is icy? Just saw a store clerk put out more snow melt products? Add it to the comment section below. Please use this story on Concord Patch to help out your neighbors.

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Patch is all about connecting neighbors and helping neighbors so we hope you’ll find this information hub helpful during the storm. Stay safe, Concord.