(STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE) —State government planned regular operations on Monday although there are delays throughout the public transportation system, schools around the state have cancelled classes and a state of emergency is in effect in Boston due to the winter storm that blew in overnight and has created some dangerous travel conditions. Boston Mayor Martin Walsh said the victory parade for the New England Patriots, who defeated the Seattle Seahawks to win the Super Bowl, is planned for Tuesday at 11 a.m. The parade route will start at the Prudential Tower and end at Boston City Hall, and a press briefing on the parade will take place Monday at noon at City Hall, according to Walsh’s office. Walsh on Sunday afternoon announced school was cancelled for Monday in Boston and that a snow emergency would take effect at 6 a.m. Monday.
“We are still in recovery mode from the recent blizzard and I want to thank residents for their patience as we prepare for the upcoming winter storm,” Walsh said in a statement. “With up to 14 inches of snow expected, please remember to check on your neighbors, especially the elderly, and always put safety first.” Gov. Charlie Baker plans at 2 p.m. to meet with legislative leaders in his office, followed by a 3:30 p.m. meeting with House and Senate Republicans, also in his office. Both meetings are closed to the press but Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito plan a media availability outside the governor’s office after the first meeting. The Supreme Judicial Court cancelled its docket of cases for Monday.
The state Legislature was open for business, although lawmakers don’t have much scheduled for Monday, with short sessions expected at 11 a.m.
At about 5:45 p.m. Sunday, less than an hour before the Super Bowl kicked off, Baker released a statement saying state government “is planning for a regular work day Monday.”
“We encourage everyone to take public transportation if possible, to drive carefully and anticipate a very difficult commute,” Baker said. “Commuters should be aware there is a parking ban in Boston starting at 6 AM and that several other cities are considering similar bans. Keep in mind this coming storm will have different impacts across the state and communities south of the Mass Pike could experience dangerously icy roads during the afternoon commute.” While Baker urged commuters to use public transportation, the MBTA system on Monday morning was littered with service alerts.
The MBTA cautioned riders that it will be difficult for them to maneuver around parking lots, especially in the afternoon and evening, and that heavy snow and wind-blown snowdrifts are expected in MBTA parking lots on Monday. Service on the Hingham and Hull ferry routes was suspended due to ice in the harbor.
The executive director of the Health Policy Commission, David Seltz, planned to update the Children’s Behavioral Health Advisory Council on recommendations Monday morning, but the room where the meeting was set to take place was empty at around 8:30 a.m., except for a representative of a community hospital association. A commission spokesman later told the News Service that the meeting had been cancelled.
[Andy Metzger contributed reporting.]
Snowstorm hampers Mass. morning commute
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