Mayor and public works director credit crews for snow response; urge residents not to rethrow snow into streets

Perth Amboy, N.J. — City leaders on Jan. 28 praised a round-the-clock snow-removal operation they said kept major streets passable after an unusually long storm, while urging residents and businesses not to shove cleared snow back into roadways.

The mayor, speaking at the caucus before the council meeting, thanked police, public works and other departments and said the Business Improvement Corporation allocated up to $40,000 to hire private contractors to help clear commercial districts. "Whenever you see snow on the streets ... it's because ... people are throwing the snow onto the street," the mayor said, adding that the city would clean those areas but asked for patience and cooperation.

Matthew Nas, director of public works, told the council that crews prioritized municipal buildings, public safety facilities and schools, and that operators, mechanics and supervisors worked extended shifts. He said crews had cleared "about three" school sites and expected to finish "about five or six" remaining locations "in the next coming days," and that the city had restocked rock salt and inspected equipment to prepare for additional storms. "Our crews will continue to widen roadways, address snow banks that are affecting visibility," Nas said.

Officials also described using a federally provided snow melter acquired through a military program, which the mayor described as a roughly $500,000 piece of equipment obtained at no cost to the city and now deployed at schools and hospitals to reduce truck traffic hauling snow offsite. City staff said the melter has reduced trips needed to move snow and is helping clear constrained locations where trucks have limited space to stack snow.

The council was told the city remains under a local state of emergency to permit enforcement measures such as towing vehicles obstructing snow removal. Officials said officers and code-enforcement staff first attempt door-knocks and public notices and consider towing only as a last resort. "We do everything we can ... and the last resort is we do have to tow the vehicle," an official said, adding that posted signs, social media and light boards were used for notice.

The mayor and DPW director also described public outreach planned for a recently enacted state law covering e-bikes: flyers for schools, a social-media campaign and targeted officer outreach at school arrival times. Officials said the state rule will require registration and insurance and that the city intends to emphasize education first.

Residents praised the effort during public comment. Irish Rodriguez, who identified herself at the podium, thanked DPW and city staff for their responsiveness and suggested the city include pictorial guidance distinguishing e-bikes, mopeds and motorbikes when it distributes materials. "We have to learn to be a little bit more courteous with our neighbors," she said.

The council and mayor closed the caucus to move into the formal meeting; officials said cleanup work would continue through the week and asked residents to follow posted parking and snow-removal regulations.

What happens next: City staff said they expect to complete remaining targeted snow removal and school-site clearing before the weeks end; officials will continue to post operational updates through the city's website and social channels.