Services director reports heavy snow response: 1,600 tons of salt, 36 mailboxes damaged, staffing and supply notes

Services Director Jim Rigsby briefed trustees on snow operations following recent storms, detailing crew shifts, materials used and equipment issues.

Rigsby said crews began pretreating roads and ran 18 routes during the initial storm, using roughly 1,600 tons of salt and more than 3,050 gallons of calcium chloride; the crew worked around the clock until midweek and then on split shifts. A subsequent storm required an additional estimated 800 tons. Rigsby said one frontline salt truck experienced piston-sleeve engine failure and will be sent for repair (estimated requisition of $15,000 was approved separately); he said another ladder truck required transmission work after parts of the PTO entered the transmission and an emergency repair was approved.

Rigsby reported 36 mailboxes were damaged during operations; he said many damages are from snow throw rather than direct plow strikes. Trustees and staff discussed cul-de-sac clearing strategy, driveway and mailbox issues, and the complexity of prioritizing township, county and state roads. Rigsby noted the township published social media advisories and fielded hundreds of phone and portal messages; administrative staff processed more than 427 voicemails and dozens of online work requests, which took several days to clear.

Trustees thanked services staff for long hours and discussed possible operational adjustments such as pushing snow in different directions in cul-de-sacs and staggering equipment runs. Rigsby said staff is ordering material replenishment and coordinating repairs.