Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Works Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Windsor Locks public works warns snow costs will exceed budget; seeks restored seasonal staff
Summary
Public Works Director Devin Cowperthwaite told the Board of Finance that an unusually active winter will likely push snow-removal costs past the current budget, citing overtime and higher sand/salt prices; he requested reinstating previously eliminated parks and seasonal positions and outlined five-year capital needs.
Devin Cowperthwaite, Windsor Locks director of public works, told the Board of Finance on March 4 that an unusually active winter produced significantly more snow events than typical and that the department expects to exceed this year’s snow-removal budget, primarily due to overtime costs.
Cowperthwaite outlined operating increases for FY26-27 that include restoring previously eliminated Parks Department and seasonal positions, contractual wage adjustments and higher expected fuel and equipment inspection costs. He said prior staffing reductions removed roughly 80 hours per week of park and town maintenance and warned that residents may notice lower service levels if those positions are not restored.
On the snow budget, Cowperthwaite said the department has worked to manage salt usage but that overtime and higher sand/salt prices are driving the projected overrun. He also presented projected five-year capital requests for equipment and roadway work. Board members asked for a departmental salary analysis and additional supporting information before taking temporary approval action.
