How Much Money Has Peabody Spent on Snow Removal?

Everyone's agreed -- no more snow, please. This winter has dumped more than 77 inches of snow on Peabody, pushing the annual snow and ice removal budget well into the red.

City Finance Director Patricia Schaffer says the total estimated costs, barring no more storms, is $1,181,838 for the season, which is $516,838 over budget. Just the bulk of the cleanup for February's blizzard cost about $300,000.

The current snow and ice budget is $665,000, which is a historical cost average of the past 10 years or so.

Schaffer said that under state law, which allows muncipalities to run a deficit on this item, the city can either request a supplemental budget appropriation from the City Council to close out the year, transfer money from reserves or raise the half million on next year's tax rates.

"I would anticipate we will request a transfer from the Operating Reserve Fund," she said.