Verona staff trained and outfitted to cut road salt use, official says

Justin Sunkay, identified as Street Superintendent for the City of Verona, described municipal steps to reduce road salt use while maintaining winter safety. Sunkay said all 17 staff responsible for snow and ice control attended Wisconsin SaltWise training this year and are now certified.

To reduce material use, Verona has adjusted equipment and practices: spreader controllers that vary auger and spinner output by vehicle speed, brine tanks for pre-wetting rock salt so it activates and stays on the road, and anti-icing pretreatments. Sunkay described the controller functions (auger controls salt flow, spinner controls broadcast) and said the city uses a 23.3% brine solution where appropriate.

Sunkay said the city added a road weather information system to capture real-time pavement and air temperatures, humidity and live images to guide decisions and be proactive rather than reactive. He also said salt is stored in a covered building, the city tracks salt and brine used per event and staff conduct post-event reviews to learn what worked.

Sunkay framed these changes as ongoing operational improvements and said the city is working to inform residents and private contractors about best practices so collective use is reduced. He did not present a vote or formal ordinance; his remarks described current operational practice and staff training.