Costs Pile Up Along With The Snow

By Steve Bigham

The costliest winter in recent memory just got a little bit more expensive following this week’s storm. In response, the Legislative Council was forced to transfer another $50,000 out of contingency and into the town’s winter snow removal account.

This week’s transfer of money marked the second time the town has run out this year. Last month, the council transferred $96,000 from contingency into the town’s winter maintenance account. Of that amount, $50,000 was earmarked for overtime, $28,000 for sand, and $18,000 for salt.

This week’s storm cost the town $41,671 in overtime and another $21,000 for salt and sand, bringing the total winter cleanup cost to $412,978. Storm “Emily” ended up dumping just over 12 inches of snow on the area, but it was the duration of the storm that people will remember. First, the storm was late in arriving. Then, when it did finally show up, it took its time in leaving.

Snow plow drivers reported for duty Sunday at 3:30 pm and most were still going strong Wednesday morning. In all, the highway department crew logged nearly 1,500 hours.

This year’s winter has already surpassed that of 1995-96 when the town spent $378,000 on cleanup. That figure includes six different snowstorms that have each cost the town more than $20,000. Just as significant as the amount of snow we’ve received this winter has been the timing of the snow. This season’s snowfalls have been occurring at night, on holidays, and at just about any other time the plow crews have been eligible for overtime pay. A year ago, the storms all seemed to hit during normal working hours when highway crews are not eligible for overtime pay.

“Last year was an employers winter. This year is an employees winter,” noted Public Works Director Fred Hurley.

“Unfortunately the storms this year have occurred on holidays, weekends and evenings,” added First Selectman Herb Rosenthal.

To put things into perspective, the highway department from December 8, 2000, to March 7, 2001, has used 14,330 tons of sand ($130,592) and 2,967 tons of salt ($105,578), while logging 6,033 overtime hours ($176,807). Driving a town snowplow pays time and a half on weekends and double-time on holidays. That probably has something to do with the fact that the town spent $39,000 to clear roadways on New Year’s Eve, including more than $22,000 in overtime.

In 1996, Newtown received money from the state through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Mr Rosenthal said that might happen again this year.

“I don’t know if that’s just wishful thinking or if they’ll actually do it,” he said.