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Greenwich budget committee recommends split $1.325M for winter snow-and-ice control
Summary
The BET Budget Committee on March 10 recommended approval of additional snow-and-ice funding split into a $1.195M DPW appropriation and a $130K Parking Services request, citing roughly 65 inches of snowfall and elevated overtime and materials costs; approval is pending confirmation of the funding source.
The Greenwich Board of Estimate & Taxation (BET) Budget Committee on March 10 recommended that the full BET approve additional winter snow-and-ice funding after hearing that an unusually heavy season drove costs above budget.
DPW Commissioner Jim Michel told the Committee the Town received about 65 inches of snow this winter — more than double the budgeted average of 30 inches — and said overtime, salt and material use, and equipment rental drove the request for extra appropriations. He said storms that fell on holidays and weekends required overtime at elevated rates, and an extended January deep freeze forced overnight removals to restore parking and roadway capacity.
The Committee’s action split the originally submitted request into two separate items consistent with budget sheets: PW-4 for the Department of Public Works and PS-1 for Parking Services. The Committee voted 4-0 to recommend approval of PW-4 (DPW, $1,195,000) and PS-1 (Parking Services, $130,000) as non-routine, pending confirmation of the source of funds. Finance staff will follow up with DPW and Parking Services to determine whether the Parking Fund, rather than the General Fund, can cover the $130,000 request.
Fleet Director Jay Domeseck said Fleet staff supported DPW operations on nights, weekends and holidays and that a $35,000 fleet overtime component addresses a current shortfall. Mr. Michel also said the request includes funds to replenish salt sheds to capacity before July 1 to take advantage of current contract pricing; any unspent balances would revert to the General Fund.
Committee members who recorded votes were Chair Laura Erickson and committee members Harry Fisher, Doug Fenton and Joe Kelly; Mr. Fisher moved the amendment to split the items and Mr. Fenton seconded. The Committee characterized the items as non-routine and recommended them to the full BET for approval.
The vote was procedural recommendation only; the full BET will consider the appropriations and the Finance Department’s determination of the funding source at a later meeting.
