Snowy winter takes a toll on budgets

Snow fell on the Rochester area almost every day in January 2004. Besides closing schools and many businesses, all of this white stuff has strained the budgets and energy of area highway departments.

Joseph L. Carr, Commissioner of Public Works/Superintendent of Highways in the Town of Chili says, "Unlike cities and villages, town budgets cover a twelve-month period from January 1 through December 31. The month of January was certainly a very busy and difficult period for all highway departments in trying to keep the public roads as safe as possible. The expenses for all the costs, including salt, sand, fuel, equipment-repair parts and labor overtime were well above the historic average for January. On a winter seasonal basis, as of February 2, 2004, we are at approximately 118 percent of the historical average for the year 2003-2004 snow season." He adds, though, that, "It would be premature to suggest that we are not within budget at this point in time."

Tom Tilebein, superintendent of Public Works in Hilton, says, "We budgeted $41,000 and that includes overtime and salt. So far we have spent 70 percent almost entirely in January." He adds, "the daily snowfall, sometimes as much as 12 to 14 inches a day for almost a month straight, makes it difficult on our small DPW crew. The same people handle not only snow removal operations, but daily refuse/recycling collections and emergencies such as water leaks and sewer problems all occurring the same month, accomplishing all of these tasks in severe temperatures and often with only a few hours sleep. I commend our crews for a job well done."

He says that in January, 2004, Hilton had the most overtime hours spent in one month ever.

Carr agrees that the continual work "with little down time for rest or equipment maintenance, freezing rain (black ice conditions) sometimes occurring during rush hour traffic" was especially difficult.

Another problem was where to put all the snow. Carr says, "There was so much snowfall, that there was no more room for snow storage and intersections became obstructed with high snow banks."

Tilebein says it was difficult "to find time to haul snow from areas such as Main Street and parking lots. With limited space all the snow must be removed. We haul the snow to the former Hojack railway where it has little or no impact as it is piled and melts."

Snow plows were first patented in the 1840s but not put to use until much later. These horse-drawn plows became common during winter months. Salt was used, but then abandoned, because it made the streets impassable for sleigh travel. The plow, which was not available to the common man, was also the reason that municipalities became responsible for snow removal as well as the need for more organized ways to do it. Cities and towns were divided into sections with plow drivers responsible for their own section. The problem of where to put all the plowed snow is one that still remains.

Note: Historical material source: http://nsidc.org/snow/shovel.html