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Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Rubbing Road Salt in Municipal Budget Wounds

How much does it cost to keep the roads salted during this difficult Winter weather?

These are the facts, as of February 8.

Tiny Fountain Hill, only 0.7 square miles large, has already spent $9,372 of the $12,000 earmarked for this year, according to Director of Finance Sook Choi. Freemansburg, only slightly larger at 1 square mile, is already over budget. Borough Manager Judy Danko reports it's $484 over the $4,000 set aside for salt treatments.

Bethlehem Township Manager Howard Kutzler has spent $23,167.90, about 70% of his budget. He thinks the Township will make it through the Winter, but is worried about November and December.

Hanover Township has spent $20,205.90 for salt this year, at $61.23 per ton. Public Works Director Vince Milite told Supervisors on February 8 that he's been waiting for a 100-ton delivery since Monday, and any additional orders this year may come at a premium.

How about Bethlehem? With over 300 miles of streets, the Christmas City has already spent $200,000, blowing its budget. Director of Public Works Mike Alkahl explains that because of the frigid temperatures, it's been necessary to treat roads repeatedly.
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5 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2011 at 12:55 AM

    but all is well in bethlum. just ask deficit johnny and rubber stamp willy

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    It appears that only one of the municipalities mentioned in your blog uses their salt wisely. I live in Bethlehem Township, commute through Hanover and work in the City. Routinely, the ONLY passable roads are in Hanover when I go to work at 7 in the morning.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Patrick McHenryFebruary 9, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    Bernie -

    Maybe part of the reason is that some might have been counting on global warming to keep the salt expenses on the low side.

    What will it take for enough people to wake up and realize they've been scammed by people with an agenda (the global warming believers)?

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    Winter arrives at the same time each year. Snow and ice fighting is a basic function of local government. Priorities are needed to fight fluffy spending and unfunded mandates that draw money from basic services.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    And the thing is Little Fountain Hill did a heck of a better job with snow and ice removal than big old Bethlehem city.

    ReplyDelete

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