Selectmen Approve Deficit Spending for Snow Removal

The Burlington Board of Selectmen voted 4-0-0 last night to allow the town to go into the red in the town's snow and ice account.

Selectman Walter Zenkin was not at the meeting.

The vote was at the request of Superintendent of Public Works John Sanchez, who said the town was already in a deficit from the snow that has fallen already this season.

"We all know how this winter has gone so far," he said.

Sanchez said the town has responded to 12 snow events, including the blizzard in early February. He said 8 out of the 12 events have happened on the weekends and holidays.

Sanchez said the town has spent about $500,000 this year. He told Burlington Patch last week the . He requested the selectmen vote to approve the town allow up to $400,000 in deficit, for a new estimated total of $750,000 for the year.

Town Administrator John Petrin explained that under Massachusetts general law, municipalities are allowed to operate snow and ice accounts in a deficit. He explained that when the town sets the tax rate for the FY14 the budget will reflect any deficit spending done this year.