Cahalan Updates Council on Snow Removal Costs

In response to snowstorm after snowstorm, Lower Saucon Public Works employees have diligently put both salt and plows to township roads this winter. 

Fortunately, the township has been able to keep its budgeted snow removal costs under control, in spite of the fact that road crews have been called out 18 times so far this winter, Township Manager Jack Cahalan recently announced.

At township council's Feb. 2 meeting, Cahalan reported that the township has so far used up 14 percent of its $114,000 budget for snow removal materials.

The township has used up 61 percent of its $43,782 overtime budget for snow response, but due to the frequent nature of this year's winter storms road crews "have been out there [a lot]," Cahalan told council members.

Council member Priscilla deLeon remarked that it seemed as though road crews have been out de-icing or plowing local roads "almost every day," and President Glenn Kern joked that Mother Nature will have to be more cooperative if the township hopes to keep its overtime costs under control.

"It's just going to have to snow from 9 to 5," he mused.

With winter only half over, there remains the potential for additional snow and/or ice storms that could impact the township's budgeted amounts for both materials and overtime.