(Carl Stevens/WBZ NewsRadio 1030)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- Standing in front of a gigantic pile of 12,000 tons of road salt he hopes we won't need to use this winter, Mayor Marty Walsh announced that "It's that time of year again."
Boston officials were gathered at the Boston Department of Public Works headquarters to brief the press on preparations for snow and other wintry weather in the city.
"As you can see, the salt piles are ready, we have the plows ready, and the city of Boston is ready as we head into Boston winter," he said.
Walsh said the city had 44,000 tons of salt city-wide, and that they started replenishing their supply back in August.
He added that over 200 pieces of snow-fighting equipment were being added, and that GPS technology was being improved so that residents will be able to track the progress of snow plows in real time.
The preps included a reminder from Jerome Smith, the city's Chief of Civic Engagement, on parking space savers.
"If there's a snowstorm but we do not declare a snow emergency, space savers are prohibited," he said. "If the city does declare a snow emergency, space savers will be allowed for 48 hours after the end of the snow emergency."
Transportation director Gina Fiandaca said she hopes people know what to do when the snow starts flying.
"When there is a parking ban, we hope folks will move their cars off the streets--especially the main arterials--so that the snow plows can get out there and clear all the way to the curb so that those travel lanes are open.
Officials also reminded that anyone in need of services because of a storm should call 311.
The mayor said that, after events like the blizzard of 1978 and the winter of 2015, there's no doubt we can withstand another snow season.
"Our winters we know in this city can be pretty tough, but the people of Boston are even tougher than the winters," Walsh said.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports