Snow and Ice: How Much Does Newton Spend?

NEWTON, MA - If we are slammed like last winter, many towns and cities would be forced to dip into deficit spending or other sources of funding.

But it’s Mother Nature, and no one truly knows.

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Newton’s budget for snow and ice for the FY2015-2016 period is $3.5 million. The figure is $500,000 more than last year’s budget.

“Last year, we had record breaking 106-plus inches of snow,” said Jim McGonagle, commissioner of Newton’s Department of Public Works. “Our seasonal average was 54” and in 2012 we had less than 12”, so predicting snowfall and resources needed becomes a challenge.”

Additional funding, he said, would come from city reserves.

The cost of snow removal last year was $7.3 million.