A winter storm forced Jersey City public schools and municipal buildings to close for two days, prompting a formal review of the city’s snow response at a Tuesday caucus meeting of the Jersey City Council. Council President Denise Ridley called Department of Public Works Director Greg Kierce before the council following resident complaints and social media posts showing unplowed streets, blocked sidewalks, and impassable roads across multiple neighborhoods.
- Snowfall began at 4:30 a.m. Sunday at 1 inch per hour, increased to 2 inches per hour between 3–5 p.m., and occurred during extremely low temperatures. Jersey City ordered 4,900 tons of salt from Morton Salt (Dec. 29, Jan. 19, Jan. 21) but received only 650 tons before the storm.
- Mayor James Solomon will issue an after-action report through the Mayor’s Office and DPW. The city will work with corporation counsel to determine whether payments to Morton Salt can be withheld for failure to meet delivery obligations.
- The council will consider a contract with Persistent Construction (Fairview) for extreme weather events, providing snow removal at $43,850 per hour when snowfall reaches 15–18 inches.
Timeline, Intensity, and Operational Conditions
According to Greg Kierce, snowfall started at 4:30 a.m. Sunday, initially accumulating at about one inch per hour. As the day progressed, the storm strengthened, and between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., accumulation increased to two inches per hour.
These conditions occurred alongside extremely low temperatures, which led to frozen surfaces and made both plowing and road treatment more difficult. Kierce described the event as “one of the most challenging storms I’ve ever seen.”
Salt Supply Failures and Material Shortages
Snow operations were limited by a statewide rock salt shortage. Jersey City placed three orders with Morton Salt totaling 4,900 tons on December 29, January 19, and January 21.
Before the storm, the city received only 650 tons of salt, restricting the city’s capacity to treat roads as snowfall increased and freezing conditions persisted.
Administrative Response and After-Action Review
Mayor James Solomon is committed to releasing a formal after-action report to evaluate the storm response and identify operational changes for future events. The review will be conducted through the Mayor’s Office and the Department of Public Works.
Snow Operations Strategy and Contract Proposal
During the council discussion, Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore, who previously worked snow detail, raised concerns about the difference between snow plowing and snow removal, particularly in dense areas with limited space to store displaced snow.
In response, Kierce confirmed that a resolution is before the council to contract with Persistent Construction, a Fairview-based company, for extreme weather operations. The proposal authorizes snow removal services at $43,850 per hour when snowfall reaches between 15 and 18 inches, with a council vote expected at an upcoming meeting.
Neighborhood Impact and Operational Issues
Ward D Councilman Jake Ephros raised two issues: accountability for Morton Salt’s delivery failures and resident complaints from the Heights neighborhood. He stated that residents in the Heights, where steep slopes affect road conditions, reported feeling neglected during plowing operations. Ephros also described operational problems observed during the storm, including plows missing slush and snow and plows following salt trucks, which reduced the effectiveness of road treatment.
Emergency Priorities and Legal Accountability
Kierce explained that snow operations prioritized access to police stations, fire stations, and hospitals. He stated that the Heights and other slope areas present added challenges because of terrain and freezing conditions, which complicate snow and ice removal.
Regarding supplier performance, Kierce told the council the city will work with corporation counsel to explore remedies if Morton Salt fails to meet contractual obligations, including the possibility of withholding payments for undelivered materials.
Preparation for Additional Storms and Infrastructure Responsibilities
With another storm potentially forecast, Councilwoman at-Large Mamta Singh asked whether the city is prepared for additional snowfall, and Kierce confirmed readiness for further weather events.
Additional operational and infrastructure concerns were raised during the meeting. Councilman at-Large Michael Griffin addressed the need to clear crosswalks and bike lanes, with coordination involving county officials. Ward C Councilperson Tom Zuppa questioned responsibility for clearing Route 139, a state road typically maintained by the city. Acting Business Administrator Peter Horton stated that the administration is working with the legislative delegation to address the ongoing responsibility issue for Route 139.
