ThisWeek CW 12/4/2014

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2014/12/01/madison-township-salt-shortage-cuts-back-on-snow-removal-plans.html

Following the first snowfall and major freeze of the season in central Ohio, Madison Township officials are looking to residents to assist in salt-saving efforts and snow removal.

Last winter’s salt shortages caused salt prices to skyrocket this year, from about $53 a ton for the township last season up to about $116 per ton this year.

At the Nov. 19 township trustee meeting, Public Services Superintendent Dave Weaver said while the cost for salt is increasing, the availability has dropped, leaving the township with a smaller supply for the season.

The township buys its salt through a contract with Franklin County.

“Last year, we used about 370 tons of salt and this year, they’re only allowing us 239 tons. So we need to conserve,” Weaver said.

“On average, we always pretreat the roads, and there’s no shortage of brine, and then on streets without curbs, we can use a calcium-sand mix that’s only $54 a ton.”

According to a plan Weaver drafted for Madison Township, road crews will only be salting hills, corners and intersections on a regular basis.

“Should the department feel there are other specific areas of danger, these will be addressed with each storm,” the plan states. “Rural roads and outlying developments will receive calcium-coated sand mixed with salt and will be pretreated before storms with salt brine, as in the past.”

Weaver said residents can help by removing their vehicles from streets during storms to allow for more timely plowing.

Madison Township has 41 miles of roads, Weaver said, with only five full-time employees who work 12-hour shifts in tandem, limiting the number of passes they can take on each road to an average of two per storm.

“The good or bad news is that we’re not the only ones in this situation, so we’re working with everyone in the area to do our part in conserving and being efficient with the work,” Weaver said.

Besides moving parked vehicles, he said he’s asking residents to keep their distance when driving around working snow plows.

“Please allow plenty of room between yourself and the snow plow. While our drivers are well-trained, they are also busy turning knobs, pushing levers and regulating the salt flow,” Weaver said. “Just like your vehicle, the trucks have blind spots and as you would imagine, this becomes more of an issue during heavy snowfalls and sleet conditions.”

Weaver said if a mailbox or other property is damaged due to the snowplow, residents should call his office at 614-836-5308.