What you need to know about parking, sidewalks & fire hydrants for the winter storm

WORCESTER, Mass. — In Worcester, the snow continues falling, but the city is asking residents to help out. Those residents, however, say the request is unfair.

Currently, the streets are clear of not only snow, but also cars. The nonstop snowfall has made it tough to keep all the snow off, but a fear of getting towed has made it easy to keep all the cars off as everyone is parked in garages.

If it's going to snow the city of Worcester is warning residents it is going to tow.

"My car was towed last year," said Jamal Smith "It cost me the $250."

Smith had to learn the hard way after moving to downtown Worcester last year.

"There was no snow, so I didn't want to test it again this year because the snow didn't start hitting until maybe 4 or 5 o'clock," he said. "So they started the ban super early, so I've been having to walk back-and-forth. [My] house is like a block away, so I have to walk back-and-forth in the cold."

The city opened complimentary parking garages and implemented a ban on 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning prohibiting any parking on main streets or bus routes. However, the snow didn’t start coming down until Sunday afternoon.

"I fully understand when the snow hits to put the ban on but don’t put it on early when there's no snow and clear skies," Smith said.

Related: Live blog: Hundreds of schools cancel, delay classes as heavy snow moves in

And it’s not just parking, property owners are expected to shovel their sidewalk. And don't forget about the fire hydrants. The rule is you're supposed to keep snow and ice three feet away from any fire hydrant so firefighters can get them quickly.

But many residents feel like the city should be held responsible for unplowed streets the same way they are held responsible for moving their cars and shoveling their sidewalks.

"What if something happens [and] they can't get here?" asked Trisha Morris of Worcester. "It's making it unsafe for people. I get it, we need to tend to the streets, but we need to go to the side streets for people like me or the elderly, they need to get out to an appointment or if there’s an emergency."

"Almost feel like they are robbing me that's how I feel, but now I know so I just pull my car out," said Smith.

Cox Media Group