Government

Orlando: Snow removal budget ‘exhausted’

KATHARINE SCHROEDER FILE PHOTO | A plow makes its way down New Suffolk Road in Cutchogue.
A plow makes its way down New Suffolk Road in Cutchogue. (Katharine Schroeder File Photo)

There is still a month left until spring and Southold Town has already plowed through all but 10 percent of its sand and salt budget for the year, Highway Department Supervisor Vincent Orlando said Tuesday.


Since the start of the year, the town has spent roughly $138,000 on 3,400 cubic yards of sand and 1,200 tons of salt to clear the roads, Mr. Orlando said. Nearly 60 percent of the budgeted overtime expenses have already been spent, he said.

Currently, the Highway Department has enough resources on hand to last through two to three “minor” snowstorms, and removal equipment is holding up well, he said.

“Things have been breaking down but our mechanics have been able to turn it around quickly and get it back on the road,” he said.

Mr. Orlando said he is working with Supervisor Scott Russell and the Town Board to transfer money to the snow removal budget to finish out the remainder of the year.

It hasn’t been an easy winter for Mr. Orlando, who took office in January. About 57 inches of snow has fallen so far this winter. As of Tuesday it would take less than an inch of snowfall for Winter 2014 to become the second snowiest documented on Long Island, according to the National Weather Service.

Relief is on the way later in the week, as temperatures are expected to warm up, possibly hitting 50 degrees by Friday.

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