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Canaan reports tight salt supplies, overtime and plans for traffic counters as winter storms persist
Summary
DPW Manager Tim Downs told the Board of Selectmen the town's salt shed holds 75 tons, two full loads have been used this season, deliveries have faced two‑week delays, and December required about 55 overtime hours per crew member; the board will request traffic and speed counters from UConn for Sand and Johnson roads.
At the Jan. 12 Board of Selectmen meeting DPW Manager Tim Downs briefed the board on winter operations and roadway safety concerns.
Downs said the town's salt shed holds 75 tons and that the town has gone through two full loads this season. He reported delivery delays of up to two weeks and said the town expects a new sand shed next winter to improve storage capacity. He also said December required approximately 55 overtime hours per crew member across 14 weather events.
First Selectman David Barger emphasized roadway safety on Sand Road and Johnson Road, noting those roads have the highest number of non‑state‑route accidents. The board agreed to request traffic and speed counters from the University of Connecticut to gather data on Sand and Johnson Roads.
During public comment, Downs explained sidewalk‑clearing procedures: six plow routes with four staff, roads are cleared before sidewalks, sidewalks are cleared as early as possible before businesses and the school open, and some areas are prone to refreezing because of drainage. A resident said the town bears ultimate responsibility for sidewalk safety and the First Selectman agreed a policy review is appropriate.
The board did not adopt new policy or allocate additional funds during the meeting; the minutes indicate operational adjustments and requests for data collection as next steps.
