North Branford's Budget Taking a Beating from Multiple Storms

NORTH BRANFORD, CT - The harsh winter and the number of snowstorms that have hit already have taken a toll on North Branford's Public Works Department budget.

At the Jan. 16th Town Council meeting, Director of Public Works Fran Merola reported that there have been "eight events" so far this snow season. He added that the fact that one of the events happened on a holiday also hit the overtime account hard.

Merola reported that the town has spent nearly $59,000 - or more than half of its overtime account so far this year. There is about $57,000 left in the OT account.

Merola further reported that the town had spent more than $14,000 of it $25,000 allotted for seasonal help in fighting the storms.

Lastly, the public works chief said the town had spent more than $133,000 already for road salt; and, as of Jan. 8th only had slightly more than $80,000 left in the salt account.

Merola said he is going to begin buying untreated salt, which is less expensive, in the hopes of saving some money for the rest of the winter plowing season.

The town's aging equipment is also creating a problem, Merola told the council. He said there are two trucks - one 30 years old, one 27 - and that parts for those trucks are difficult to find. He said the trucks have experienced multiple breakdowns during the storms.