About $225K Already Spent by Town on Snow Removal

In the wake of a major blizzard and other recent weather incidents, Salem is already flying through its snow removal budget, although Town Manager Keith Hickey said there is plenty of money that should be available.

Hickey estimates that the town has spent $225,000 on snow removal this year. That estimate is through to Feb. 20.

With a light winter in 2012, only $428,386 was expended for snow removal.

"By and large we average close to ($1 million) a year," Hickey said.

Hickey said a total of $750,000 for snow removal is being requested from the voters in 2013.

In case the town spends over that total, Salem has just over $400,000 in a reserve account, leaving close to $1.1 million in total money that can be utilized for snow removal.

Salem Department of Public Works employees are already out preparing for what could be several more inches of snow on Saturday night into Sunday. Hickey added that the trucks are in good running order.

"(The DPW workers) removed snow on Route 28 and other areas that were concerns as far as visibility," Hickey said. "Certainly if we get another foot of snow, it will be a challenge to try to keep the road as passable and as wide as they normally are in the summertime."