5 Things All About Fairfield: Jan. 18

* Fairfield firefighters are asking residents to clear snow from fire hydrants near their homes to ensure a rapid attack in case of a fire in their neighborhood.

"Fire Department personnel are clearing as many hydrants as possible every day, but with the help of local residents the effort will be completed more quickly," says a news release sent to local media from the Fire Department on Monday afternoon. "Residents who choose to help are reminded to work from the house side of the hydrant and not by the roadway, and those wishing more information are asked to call 203-254-4720.”

* First Selectman Ken Flatto reports Fairfield may be in for some more inclement weather Tuesday morning, though not as severe as last week's snowstorm that dumped an estimated 20 inches on the town.

Flatto said he talked with town Department of Public Works Director Richard White and that two to four inches of snow are predicted to fall in the early morning hours today, followed by freezing rain, which will create icy and hazardous conditions on the roads.

It wasn't clear Monday evening if schools would be on a delayed opening today. Parents can call 203-255-TALK (8255) a few hours before their child is normally due to be picked up by a school bus or driven to school to find out if schools are on a delayed opening.

* In other weather news, New Canaan Patch Editor Sheryl Shaker reports that the snow and freezing rain predicted this morning and afternoon could wreak havoc on roofs already overloaded with snow.

The heavy precipitation predicted for Fairfield County over the next two days could add 30 percent to 60 percent more weight to already overloaded roofsand decks, causing building “failures,” according to William J. Hackett, Connecticut’s director of Emergency Management, Shaker's story on New Canaan Patch says.

An inch to an inch-and-a-half of snow and freezing rain is forecast for Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Snow is expected before 9:00 a.m., followed by freezing rain from 9:00 a.m. to noon. A mix of snow and rain is forecast to continue through Tuesday night and into Wednesday, Shaker's story says.

The Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) and the Department of Public Safety Division of Fire, Emergency and Building Services have issued a warning about the added weight the precipitation will bring to roofs and decks already covered by heavy snow pack, Shaker's story says.

Hackett said if the state receives more than two inches of rain, the failure risk could increase significantly and that Fairfield County residents with concerns about their roof loads should contact their local building official (in Fairfield, that would be James Gilleran at 256-3036) or their Fire Department (Fairfield Fire Department's non-emergency number is 203-254-4700; Fire Chief Richard Felner can be reached at 203-254-4713; and the on-duty platoon captain can be reached at 203-254-4704.)

* Bridgeport Superior Court will be the venue today for two important cases involving Fairfield, weather permitting.

The trial of Christopher DiMeo, accused of murdering jewelry store owners Tim and Kim Donnelly on Feb. 2, 2005, is scheduled to start today.

Also, Town Attorney Richard Saxl reports that the lawsuit filed by Mark Corcoran of Fairfield Woods Road to stop the expansion and renovation of Fairfield Woods Middle School will be discussed today, though Saxl said the discussion likely will center on scheduling a date for Corcoran's motion for a temporary injunction on the project.

* We've reported it before, so this is just a friendly reminder: Supt. of Schools David G. Title is planning a brown bag lunch with parents at noon today in the Education Center, 501 Kings Highway East, to talk about his recommended $148.5 million Board of Education budget for 2011-12.

Tonight, the school board, which is comprised of nine elected and volunteer residents, is scheduled to hear Title's presentation of his recommended budget, which rises 4.9 percent from this fiscal year's $141.6 million Board of Education budget. The school board meeting is at 7:30 p.m. in the Education Center.

Stay tuned to Fairfield Patch to find out if either event is cancelled (will post via Twitter) or call Title's office at 203-255-8371.