Politics & Government

Snow Costs on the Rise Despite Budget Crunch

Cranford has already spent 40 percent of its snow budget for 2010.

Only six weeks into the 20-week snow season and Cranford has spent 40 percent of its snow budget. More snow costs could mean more department budget cuts or tax hikes.

Significant winter storms in mid-December, January and last week have total town snow counts over 20 inches, with another three to six inches expected Monday night.

Cranford has already spent an estimated $21,940 for salt, including the delivery made in anticipation of tonight's snowfall, $1,184 for liquid calcium, and $1,390 for calcium chloride pellets. The total spent to date, not counting overtime pay, is approximately $24,500.

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"This is approximately 40 percent of the budget that we requested for 2010, and we are only six weeks into the plus or minus 20 weeks potential snow event period, or 30 percent of the snow season," said Township Engineer Richard Marsden.

Last year Cranford budgeted for $57,000 and spent $58,981.

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This budget term looks to be a tough one with town officials expecting less state aid than previous years. Extra expenditures in the snow budget could mean cuts to other departments or hikes in taxes to meet budget needs.

Cranford's department of public works ordered 300 tons of salt last Tuesday to refill depleted salt silos in anticipation of Monday night's storm.

Last week's storm dumped about 15 inches on the town. Twenty public works employees were out salting and plowing the roads, shoveling sidewalks, and removing fallen branches.

By labor contract, DPW employees are expected to work no more then a maximum of 14 hours before they have to get a minimum of a four-hour break. Five employees started salting at 2 a.m. Another five were brought in around 4:30 a.m. to start sidewalk snow removal and plowing. By 6:30 a.m. all public works employees were on the job.

"Cranford DPW did a great job in very difficult conditions," said Mayor Mark Smith.

Smith reminded residents to remove their parked vehicles from roadways and shovel snow into their yards instead of the streets.

"Such actions are discouraged because it creates additional work for the DPW resulting in additional costs to the township," he said.


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