RED BANK BRACES FOR ANOTHER BLANKETING

rb brine 030114DPW sprayers laid down stripes of ice-inhibiting salt brine throughout Red Bank on Saturday, including Spring Street, above. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

Red Bank has suspended trash pickups scheduled for Monday as the borough prepares for yet another extended snowfall beginning Sunday night.

The National Weather Service forecasts the Red Bank area could get six to eight inches over the course of a 13-hour snowfall expected to begin around 6 p.m. Sunday.

Public utilities director Gary Watson tells redbankgreen that trash pickups are suspended Monday as his crews focus on snow plowing and salting of roads.

Liquid brine was laid down on all borough streets Saturday, and salting on hilly streets will occur as rain turns to snow beginning in the evening, Watson said.

But because of a shortage of rock salt that’s affecting much of New Jersey, the town has “minimal salt on hand,” Watson said.

“I bought 100 tons of sand, and we’re mixing the salt in with the sand,” he said. “We’re being really cautious with it.”

Watson said he expects plowing to begin when snow accumulations reach about three inches, possibly  between 10 p.m. and midnight, and will continue until all streets are clear.

Once again, the borough asks motorists to remove their cars from the street if possible to facilitate movement of plows and enable curb-to-curb clearing.

Watson said he expects regular trash pickups to resume Tuesday.