Old Man Winter isn't being kind this season, slamming Westport with snowstorm after snowstorm and most recently an ice storm. Not only does this take a toll on the town physically, but it also costs a lot of green every time the white stuff falls.
According to Department of Public Works Director Stephen Edwards, record snowfall amounts in January milked his snow-removal budget dry.
"We buried that about two storms ago," Edwards said of the $410,000 budget, which was maxed out before February started.
Because public safety is top priority, Edwards said his department is operating on contingency funds. And if he had to put a price tag on snow, Edwards said that every major snowstorm costs around $100,000.
Last month, Edwards estimates the town saw about 60 inches of snow. And because temperatures have only infrequently gone above freezing, there hasn't been much melting.
"When you've got around 60 inches of snow on the ground, you're going to have a lot of sight-line issues," Edwards said, referring to large snow banks that obstruct drivers' views. "We can give drivers black pavement, but we can't do much to improve slight lines. Everyone just needs to drive more cautiously."
Edwards said the safety of his crew is also one of his concerns. Since the day after Christmas, the town has been hit with a storm, whether snow or freezing rain, every week.
"I've got extra-tired workers," he said. "They are running low on fuel. And with storms happening every four to five days, it seems, that doesn't give them much time to recharge their batteries."
Are you concerned about the town's snow-removal costs?
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