Money moved to cover overtime, salt expenses
By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
Snow is putting the heat on the municipal budget.
Township Committee members met in an unusual special session Monday morning to amend its temporary budget for the year, mostly to meet expenses of snow removal.
The township’s leaders shifted around $232,735. Of that $65,000 went to salaries and wages for the employees, mostly Department of Public Works staffers who have been putting in long hours — many at overtime rate.
Another $120,00 was appropriated to pay for other expenses, like road salt. He said 200 tons were delivered Monday.
Also included in the resolution were nearly $40,000 in interest on bonds that were refinanced in 2012, said Administrator Anthony Ferrera, and $5,000 to pay for maintenance contracts for police computer maintenance and software contracts.
The actions would have been taken Tuesday night at the regularly scheduled meeting, but two members were expected to be absent and it takes four affirmative votes to amend the budget.
The costs associated with snow covers all storms since Feb. 1, said Mr. Ferrera. Some of the money will go to replenish its salt supply, which was depleted. The township was down to enough salt for another two or three major storms, he said.
In a major storm, using salt on all roads in a 54 square miles township, is might take 350 tons of salt, he said. If just main roads are targerted, it takes about 125 tons, he said.
The township is also turning attention to filling potholes, which have grown at a ferocious rate across the state.
Mr. Ferrera said the township is getting to them as quickly as possible, and asked for the resident’s patience.
Road repair costs may force the capital planning committee, which makes recommendations on the priority of “big ticket” items, to take a second look at more projects, he said.
Despite the incessant snow, the township has received few complaints — maybe a handful all winter, he said — associated with clearing roads, he said

