Oswego, District 308 Agree To Salt Storage Pact, Saving $200K

OSWEGO, IL — The Village of Oswego and School District 308 have agreed to share road-clearing salt storage space this year, saving the entities nearly $200,000 and preventing them from having to build a new storage structure.

The school district had been storing salt used to clear its parking lots and sidewalks in a nearby building owned by Oswego Township. But after the township sold the building, District 308 moved its salt reserves under a tarp, causing problems for access and usability of the product, the village said in a press release.

School district staff had considered spending $187,762 to build a new storage barn, according to the village. But in August, village and school district officials met to discuss ways save resources.

The village agreed to allow the school district to store its salt in its salt dome, which is across the street from the school district's maintenance facility. In addition, the school district has agreed to allow the village to use its equipment for upkeep and maintenance to the salt dome, according to the village.

“By just communicating with each other about what we’re doing and thinking creatively, we can lower costs, improve services, and save time,” Oswego Village President Troy Parlier said in a statement. “I’m happy to be collaborating with our partners to save money for our school district, and by extension our taxpayers, in a very simple way.”