A Salt Shed Explained

One of the projects on the $9.38 million heading to a vote April 6 is a $600,000 salt shed at the on Nod Road.

600 big ones for a salt shed you ask?

Director of Public Works Peter Neff and First Selectman Willie Fritz explain.

The money will be used to demolish and remove the old shed and build a new one, complying with all site, drainage and structural requirements, in a new location on the public works complex.

The current structure, a wooden barn-like building, is structurally deficient, said Neff.

"We had the current structure evaluated to see if it can be rebuilt," said Neff. "The existing structure cannot be rebuilt and is structurally deficient at this point."

The problems with the existing structure are many, said Neff. It is one large covered area, not divided and thus can hold only one type of material - a mix of sand and salt. This makes for difficult planning in the ordering of materials.

"This requires us to order salt every time we need to replenish the mixture," added Neff. "Last year, we almost ran out of materials which would have led to icy roads and no ability to treat them."

The new facility, noted Neff, will be capable of switching to an all-salt program (similar to the state's program) should the town determine the switch makes economical and environmental sense.

The current facility has a limited capacity to hold materials (must be replenished after two or three storms), isn't located in the most convenient location behind Public Works, is buckling, is corroded and has holes.

"The new shed will be a concrete structure which is far more durable and can withstand the corrosive power of salt," said Neff.

The new structure will be a larger, divided concrete building with one area for a sand-salt mix, one area for just salt, and an optional three-sided shed to house heavy-duty equipment.

The new building will hold 977 cubic yards of sand and 185 cubic yards of salt. The old building held a total of 611 cubic yards of material.

The new building will be 40 feet by 55 feet by 12 feet in height (sand area) and 25 feet by 25 feet by 8 feet height (salt). The old building was 30' x 55' x 10'.

Fritz said what adds to the price of the shed is the town must comply with regulations and construct a special drainage system and liner on the shed floor. Additionally, the structural design of the large span-building adds to the costs.

"Larger sheds like this one at the Department of Transportation cost between $750,000 and $1 million," said Fritz.

The new structure will meet all the new state requirements for the storage of salt, sand and salt/sand mixtures.

The town will hold a referendum vote on this project and others Wednesday, April 6, from 6am to 8pm at downstairs Green Room. All registered voters, electors and others qualified to vote in a Clinton referendum are encouraged to vote. There will be one question for all $9.38 million bonding projects on the ballot. For a complete list of the projects and their costs, click .