"Got Salt?" More Correctly, Does Your Municipality Have Enough Salt? KJ: Kennebec County towns, cities seeing higher costs in aftermath of icy weather

From a health standpoint we all hear the words, cut down on your salt intake.  

But for the 'thirsty appetite' of Maine's Infrastructure not having enough salt is almost pandemic now as we are just in the midst of the Winter grip upon Maine's roadways.  Thank you to Lisbon's Public Works for keeping our roadways clear and safe for travel during a most 'challenging' winter period thus far.

The people that make up the Public Works department have a tremendous responsibility to the community and more often than not, do not get the appreciation that they ALL  deserve.

So we would like to say THANK YOU!

Check out this story and see how things are going in other parts of Maine.

Kennebec County towns, cities seeing higher costs in aftermath of icy weather

If FEMA declares the ice storm a disaster, those in eligible counties could recoup 90 percent of costs.

By PAUL KOENIG Kennebec Journal 

Icy weather this winter has eaten into municipalities’ sand and salt supplies and maintenance budgets, but most aren’t worried about going over budget or running out of supplies.

While municipalities could potentially receive federal funds reimbursing costs from the ice storm in late December, Kennebec County hasn’t reported enough damage from the storm yet to receive the funds.

In Gardiner, which has already used two-thirds of its salt and winter maintenance overtime budgets, the potential assistance would prevent possible cuts to other portions of its public works budget.

“We’ve had to budget tighter and tighter every year, so there’s no wiggle room,” City Manager Scott Morelli said. “If we go over there, we have to go under somewhere else.”

That could mean less summer paving, he said, a budget line that was already cut down to $127,000 from the $170,000 requested in the first budget proposal last spring. The city also hopes to use a large chunk of the approved sum for debt service on a planned Highland Avenue project with the Maine Department of Transportation

Read More:  http://www.kjonline.com/news/Kennebec_County_towns__cities_seeing_higher_costs_in_aftermath_of_icy_weather_.html