Municipalities saving overtime money with unseasonably warm weather
Story Created:
Feb 3, 2012 at 7:12 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Feb 3, 2012 at 7:12 PM EDT
UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - The unseasonably weather has let Utica's Department of Public Works save more than $32,000 on overtime so far this year, as well as focus on other street maintenance around the city.
Utica's Budget Director says this year, the city has spent $166,191 on DPW overtime, compared to last year's $197,762. However, when it comes to salt, officials say the city has used the same amount this year as last.
Utica DPW Commissioner David Short says the city's salt budget has remained consistent at $400,000, as they need salt to melt the little snow storms that the city has received, as well as keep the roads safe. Short says that when the DPW is not snow plowing, it gives workers a chance to fix snow plows, as well as issues on the streets.
"We're out doing pot holes, picking up litter, checking street signs, ones that have been knocked down by snow plows so far," says Short. "Yesterday, we were out weed-wacking along the fence lines on the arterial."
Short says their over 70 employees are under contracts, and that the city needs to have at least 40 people to snowplow.
"It's no different than when there's no fire. You wouldn't let the fire department go home," says Short. "You need these guys. Once you start seeing snow, you've got to have resources to bring them in."
Short says that if the winter continues the way it does, he'll have more money to do more street maintenance in the summer.
"Where I can go out and sweep more, fill more pot holes - it's a give and take on both ends," says Short.
Come April, Short says he will basically ask for the same overall budget for next year, as you never know what the weather will bring.
