CREST HAVEN – What does a snowstorm cost? How much did it take to clear county roads in the year’s first snowfall? Try 451 tons of salt that cost $29,770.51.
Before the predicted snowfall of Jan. 21, County Engineer Dale Foster said the county took several deliveries of salt Jan. 20, and its Road Department barns are filled in preparation for what was forecast to be from three to 10 inches. Even with all that salt, if temperatures plummet into the teens or single digits, no melting can take place.
According Foster’s report to freeholders Jan. 14, the cost to the county for the Jan. 2-4 storm that deposited about seven inches of the fluffy white stuff was for calculated for 26 employees to salt and plow.
Those workers clocked 208 regular hours and 265 overtime hours operating 22 trucks to keep roads passable.
Foster wanted to “Give an idea of what seven inches of snow did, considering we were supposed to get far less. They did a great job cleaning it up,” he added. “It got so cold on Friday (Jan. 3) it was tough to keep them free from ice.”
“I was surprised to see how much was cleaned up,” said Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton.
“We were in a lot better shape than in Cumberland (county),” he added. I went from Cape May to Cumberland and was shocked at the difference.
Added Freeholder E. Marie Hayes, “That is why my daughter and family were not here (at reorganization when she took her oath). They live in Cumberland and they could not make it.”
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