A milder than expected 2015–2016 winter has resulted in a snow and ice removal bill more in line with winters past.
At last Thursday’s Finance Committee meeting, Town Administrator Tim Bragan announced that the DPW had spent $198,820 on labor, salt, and sand for the season. With a budget of $112,000, this leaves the town with an $86,820 deficit, which can easily be covered by a transfer from Harvard’s Reserve Fund.
This year’s total expenditure is 43 percent less than the unusually high $351,537 spent to keep Harvard roads clear during the winter of 2014–2015, when it seemed the snow would never stop. In the preceding two winters, costs totaled $179,986 and $187,405, respectively. The cost of plowing and treating Harvard’s byways is driven by worker overtime, since plowing is typically done at night, and also by the cost of salt and sand. Those costs will continue to rise, says Finance Director Lorraine Leonard, even if winters remain mild.
The snow and ice deficit is a planned shortfall, for reasons having to do with the way the state allocates its aid to towns in severe winters. Each year, Annual Town Meeting budgets $112,000 for snow and ice and then adds $175,000 to the town’s Reserve Fund to cover the expected shortfall. This year’s overrun is half that amount, leaving money in the fund for future unforeseen expenses.
