Danvers Looking at a Snow and Ice Removal Budget Deficit of $856,000

The historic snowfall this winter in such a short period of time definitely took its toll on snow removal budgets in Massachusetts.

Danvers has spent approximately $1,557,000 on snow and ice removal so far this winter, according to Bob Lee, director of operation of the town’s Department of Public Works.

According to town officials, $700,440 was budgeted for snow removal in the Fiscal Year 2015 budget.

Lee said Danvers has submitted two applications for assistance from FEMA, both called Initial Damage Assessments – the first one was for the first big blizzard on Jan. 26 to Jan. 27; the second was for the total costs of all four storms in the three-week time period between Jan. 26 and Feb. 15.

The process is for the state to seek an emergency declaration for either one of these events by the federal government. If federal officials make a declaration, or declarations, the town would have to submit a more detailed accounting of the snow and ice removal for reimbursement.

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