Winter storms cost towns big bucks

AREA — Despite a spate of early winter snowstorms, local town managers are now hopeful that they can get to the end of the spring season without going into the red on salt, sand and overtime plowing costs.

One factor that has helped is the fact that two major February storms have happened during the day, when town workers do not have to be paid overtime.

"At least two of the storms have happened primarily in the daytime, which really relieves the overtime pressure that we would ordinarily get," said Town Manager Phil Tarr.

The numbers show that most towns have spent about half of their winter storm budgets, with a springtime finish line in sight.

"We budgeted $42,327 for overtime," said Tarr. "At this point, the amount used is $19,565 [46 percent]. I believe that we could sustain an abnormally snowy spring and still have money left in the budget when it is all over."

"With no more than four to six weeks remaining this winter, it is doubtful that we would spend all of the overtime budget line," said Tarr.

In Buckfield, the story is similar. Town Manager Glen Holmes reports that a total of $52,085 was budgeted for employee costs associated with snow removal, and that $25,037, or 48 percent, has been expended.

Norway Town Manager David Holt says that Norway has gone through a higher percentage of its budget, and would need a gentler spring in order to avoid cost overruns.

"Overtime is somewhat driven by when the storms come, and we have spent three quarters of that budget, but absent spring flooding we may squeak by," said Holt.

Salt and sand costs have also been contained, a contrast from when Holmes reported earlier in the season that frequent "piddly storms" were "taking a toll."

For sand, salt, and calcium costs, Buckfield budgeted $99,000, and has spent $54,754, or 55 percent of the budget.

Paris budgeted $65,500 for salt for the season, and has spent $36,850, or 56 percent of the total amount.

Tarr noted that Paris does not spend money to purchase sand, as it owns a gravel pit.  From that pit, said Tarr, "we hauled 4,500 yards into the storage building. Of that approximately 1,500 yards remains. This, too, is good."

Norway is ahead of the game here, says Holt.

"Sand salt usage so far has been less than budgeted," he said. "We saved some money last year when the crew put up sand on slow days."

Buckfield also contracts with an outside company to do sidewalk plowing. Of that $3,000 budget, $2,190, or 73 percent, has been spent.