When the biggest snowstorm of the year hit on Sunday, March 1 into Monday, Village of Mineola Department of Public Works crews were out on the streets, treating the roads and plowing snow. During the storm, over 300 violations were issued for a village ordinance that mandates that cars must be taken off the road during a village snow emergency.

The village code states that "No owner or operator of a motor vehicle shall park the same unattended on any road, street, avenue or highway in a residential area of the Incorporated Village of Mineola from the period following December 1 of any year to March 31 of the next succeeding year whenever two inches of snow or more falls."

Because the recent storm dumped nearly a foot on the village, motorists were required to remove their vehicles from the streets so village plows could adequately clear snow.

After Mineola Auxiliary Police Chief Mike Spae went around with a microphone announcing that vehicles should be taken off the streets and a reminder was posted on the village's cable access channel, village code enforcement and parking enforcement personnel issued violations for vehicles left parked on the street. A total of 374 snow ordinance violations were issued.

The violations carry fines of $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second offense that occurs within an 18-month period and $500 for a third offense that occurs within an 18-month period. The violations are answerable in the Village of Mineola Justice Court.

- Joe Rizza