Worth Its Salt: Bensalem Township Has More Than Ever This Winter

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —With winter hitting hard over the past week, residents should not fear for their safety when it comes to Bensalem Township's roads. In fact, they should be beaming with pride.

During the township council's budget presentation earlier this month, each department head came before the council members and Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo to present their portion of the municipal budget.

Tim Schultz, the township's director of public works, presented his $1.4 million budget and also updated the council on his crew's winter preparedness.

"We have more salt than ever before," said Schultz in discussing the expense the township has spent on its salt supply of $313,000.

"You guys do a great job," Councilman Joseph Pilieri said.

Schultz said the department added an extra salt bin over the past year which amounted to an "additional 500 tons in our domes."

Council Chairman Joseph Knowles applauded that effort.

"We could bulk it instead of being short or pirated," he said.

Schultz said he was "scared of shortages" and wanted to stock up in a basic supply-and-demand strategy.

"We get calls from communities to do their streets," Pilieri said.

Finance Director John Chaykowski said the township has budgeted $600,000 for winter maintenance and contractors and uses those funds first before dipping into the public works department budget.

Chaykowski said costs depend on how many storms, snow, or inclement weather the township gets each year. He said the township had spent $344,000 through September and was up to $450,000 in early December.

"We don't budget enough," Pilieri said. "We'd rather have more than less."

Councilwoman Stacey Champion said she notices the impact the public works department makes on keeping township streets in tip-top shape during the winter.

"As soon as you cross over the township line, you can tell the difference," Champion said. "The roads are clean when you come to Bensalem."

"Our guys work hard," Schultz said. "They make the township look good."

In giving his budget report, Schultz said his public works department went through a lot of turnover in the past year and is still without a deputy director.

Council Chairman Joseph Knowles asked whether one would be hired in the coming year and Schultz responded that was the intent.