Oswego public works asks council for $500,000 to restock road salt after heavy winter

Oswego — The commissioner of public works told the Physical Services Committee that the city needs a $500,000 budget amendment to buy road salt after an unusually demanding winter and slower deliveries.

Greg Rebeor, commissioner of public works, parks and recreation, said the city budgeted $225,000 for salt this season and has “about $10,000 left” in that line. He told councilors delivery schedules have slowed and the department is paying under a New York State Office of General Services contract at $53.72 per ton until Sept. 1. “Wewe're not out of salt. We're not going to run out of salt. We're out of money though,” Rebeor said.

The request matters because public works crews manage winter road safety citywide. Rebeor said suppliers that normally start deliveries in two to three days are now taking about seven to 10 days to begin, and DPW typically orders about 2,000 tons at a time; the $500,000 amendment is intended to cover the remainder of this winter and allow the city to restock for 2026.

Councilors asked clarifying questions about price and delivery. Rebeor said the city uses the state OGS contract so the current per-ton price is locked until Sept. 1. An unidentified attendee asked whether price changes were driving the request; Rebeor replied the contract price is fixed for now and the amendment was requested because the department has exhausted the budgeted funds earlier than expected.

The committee approved the $500,000 amendment by roll call. Councilor Plunkett, Councilor Burridge, Councilor Allen and Councilor Walton voted yes.

Votes at a glance: the two combined committee meetings approved multiple routine items with brief discussion or staff explanation. Each listing includes the motion text as recorded in the meeting and the recorded vote.

- Authorization for the city chamberlain to complete a transfer of $500 from the engineering materials and supplies account to the high grama materials and supplies account for the high dam hydroelectric facility — motion approved; recorded votes: Councilor Plunkett (yes), Councilor Burridge (yes), Councilor Allen (yes), Councilor Walton (yes).

- Authorization for the mayor to sign Amendment No. 14 with GHD Consulting Services Inc. for $20,000 for required consent decree quarterly reporting — motion approved; recorded votes: Plunkett (yes), Burridge (yes), Allen (yes), Walton (yes).

- Police Department materials and supplies budget amendment of $22,065.48 to complete camera upgrades using earlier grant funds — motion approved; recorded votes: Plunkett (yes), Burridge (yes), Allen (yes), Walton (yes).

- Acceptance of a $5,000 donation from Brookfield Renewable US to buy a rapid-deployment craft for the fire department — motion approved; recorded votes: Plunkett (yes), Burridge (yes), Allen (yes), Walton (yes).

- Blanket authorization for use of public spaces and street corners by the Oswego YMCA for signage and community events (blanket permit) — motion approved; recorded votes: Plunkett (yes), Burridge (yes), Allen (yes), Walton (yes).

- Request received from Julie Chetney of the Oswego County Autism Task Force to organize an "Out Run Autism" 5K on Saturday, March 8, 2025 — request presented to the committee during new business; no formal vote or mover/second recorded in the transcript (outcome not specified).

What happened next: committee members moved to adjourn after the votes. Staff and councilors noted the salt amendment was intended to secure supply for the remainder of this winter and to restock the storage dome ahead of the 2026 season.

Background and context: Rebeor said DPW typically keeps a multi-thousand-ton inventory in the city storage dome and that current higher demand and industry-wide delivery delays have increased near-term needs. He said the department is using a New York State Office of General Services contract price that is currently favorable compared with reports from other communities.