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Helmetta council adopts borough-wide ban on parking on snow-covered streets
Summary
On Feb. 18, 2026, Helmetta Borough Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 2026-02, creating a borough-wide prohibition on parking on snow-covered streets during snow events and emergencies to aid snow removal and emergency access.
Helmetta Borough Council voted unanimously on Feb. 18, 2026, to adopt Ordinance 2026-02, a change to Chapter 55 of the borough code that prohibits parking on snow-covered streets during snow events and declared emergencies.
The ordinance, passed on second reading, says that whenever snow accumulates so that it covers any street or roadway in Helmetta, “no vehicle shall be parked upon any street or roadway within the Borough until after all snowfall has ceased, or until such earlier time as the streets or roadways have been plowed and the snow removed to a sufficient extent to permit the normal flow of traffic.” The council eliminated the prior Schedule XVI (street-by-street signs) and made the rule effective via borough-wide notice, emergency declaration, or other reasonable means rather than requiring individual street postings.
Council President Peter Karczewski explained enforcement and operational motivations for a borough-wide approach and flagged accessibility considerations for Borough Hall during the same discussion, saying the ramp in front of Borough Hall “needs to be fixed and/or demolished and a lift put in to make it ADA compliant.” The ordinance text itself clarifies that notice may be given by public announcement or emergency declaration and that the Article’s effectiveness does not depend on posting signs on individual streets.
The council opened the ordinance for public hearing; no members of the public spoke. Councilman Paul Dzingleski moved adoption and Councilman Paul Reid seconded; the roll call vote recorded five in favor, none opposed. The ordinance takes effect upon final passage and publication in accordance with state law.
The measure is aimed at speeding snow-removal operations and reducing hazards from parked vehicles during storms; the council and borough staff indicated implementation will rely on public announcements, updates to borough procedures, and enforcement tied to declared snow events.
The council recorded the ordinance adoption on Feb. 18, 2026, after a routine public hearing and vote. The borough clerk will publish the ordinance and follow the notice requirements set out in state law.
