Dear Neighbors,

A winter storm warning is in effect until 6am tomorrow. Please stay safe and stay off the roads: vehicle travel is for emergency and essential workers only.

Please keep the following information and resources in mind for the next few days:

• The latest updates on City services can be found here, and here.
• Sign up for NYC's free app providing emergency alerts + service updates.
• You can track plowing on your street here.
• Alternate Side Parking is suspended through Saturday (2/6). Parking meters will remain in operation throughout NYC.
• You may put garbage and recycling out at your normal schedule, but collection is suspended and will resume when snow operations allow.
• Customers can report power outages by calling 800-75-CONED, or via Con-Ed's website.
• Due to the weather, City-run COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites are closed on Monday (2/1) and Tuesday (2/2). If you had an appointment scheduled for those days, you will receive an email about how to reschedule.
• Should you see an individual who appears to be homeless and in need out in the cold, please call 311 and an outreach team will be dispatched to offer assistance. 
• Laborers are needed for snow removal: visit nyc.gov/snow to learn more.

Transportation

• B train service is currently suspended -- it will resume once the tracks can be cleared. Buses are running on a reduced schedule. Get MTA updates here.
• The Citi Bike system is closed today (2/1). No bikes can be rented, though bikes can be returned to any station with an available dock. 

NYC Schools + Grab & Go Meal Distribution

• School buildings are closed today (2/1) and tomorrow (2/2), as are on-site Learning Labs/Bridges programs. All students scheduled for an instructional day will learn remotely. Check here for the latest updates.
• Meal distribution at local schools resumes on Wednesday. If you are in need of emergency food, please call 311.

Loss of Heat and/or Hot Water
Building owners are legally required to provide heat and hot water to tenants. Between 6am and 10pm, if the outside temperature falls below 55 degrees, the inside temp must be at least 68 degrees. Between 10pm and 6am, the inside temp must be at least 62 degrees.

• If you are a tenant without heat or hot water, contact your landlord first. If your landlord is unresponsive, file a complaint by calling 311 or TTY (212) 504-4115. Click here for more info.
• For NYCHA Heat or Hot Water Complaints: 718-707-7771

Responsibilities for Homeowners & Businesses 

• Snow and ice on sidewalks can severely injure pedestrians. Without pushing snow and ice into the street, clear a path that's at least four feet wide and remove snow and ice from around fire hydrants and sidewalk corner ramps. Fine Avoided $100-$250.
• Restaurants offering outdoor dining: please see this guidance from the Dept of Sanitation. 
• Open Restaurants roadway dining is currently suspended. Restaurants should remove / secure furniture, and remove electric heaters. Remove the tops of structures if possible or regularly clear snow off structures to prevent damage. The City will notify restaurants when they may reopen roadway seating for outdoor dining. Learn more here.

Housing Clinic This Wednesday

Just a reminder that tenants with legal and/or housing court-related questions are warmly invited to join us for our February Housing Clinic, "Getting Repairs Done In Your Apartment During COVID-19," this Wednesday, February 3rd, from 6 to 7pm.

• The clinic will be conducted via Zoom. Please click here to register and receive Zoom event info.
• You can submit questions in advance when you register, and questions will also be taken during the event via Zoom's chat function. The presentation will be led by Goddard Riverside Law Project.

If you are facing a possible eviction, help is available. You can access free legal services on our website, by looking under "Housing." 

We're Here to Help

My office assists people with housing issues, seniors, the disabled, the recently un (or under) employed, the food insecure, and all those suffering the many consequences of this pandemic, to help in any way we can. We also provide on-going advocacy with our public schools and other public services.

Please call (212) 873-0282, leave a message and we will call you back as soon as possible; email [email protected]; or check our website, HelenRosenthal.com. We update it on a regular basis with information about public benefits, non-profit resources, and health facts Upper West Siders need to get through this crisis. 

Warmly,



P.S. Please forward this newsletter to anyone you think might be interested, or have them subscribe to my e-blasts here. Also, follow my social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram.