How Much Money Has Danvers Spent on Snow Removal?

Barring anymore surprise snowstorms, Danvers will squeak in just under budget for snow and ice removal this winter.

The latest report from Public Works Director of Operations Bob Lee shows the town has spent $667,883 to clean up 61 inches of snow that has fallen in Danvers between Nov. 7 and March 20. That leaves just $27,306 remaining in the budget.

The most expensive storm this winter was the February blizzard, which dropped 24 inches and cost the town $156,062 in one day (Feb. 8). The second most expensive storm was March 7-8 at $114,524.

In the event the town did have to spend more than its snow and ice budget, which happened two years ago, the state does allow cities and towns to deficit spend on that particular item and roll the expenses into the following year's budget. That leads to many communities budgeting far less for snow and ice than they spend on average each year.

Town Manager Wayne Marquis doesn’t follow that strategy, however, and attempts to present a yearly snow and ice budget that reflects the true expenses to the town. Case in point, the budget item has increased since 2011 by about $40,000 to $695,189, reflecting the average cost to the town.