Council chips away at snow and ice deficit

By Owen Boss

GARDNER — After a winter that one city councilor referred to as “the winter that would never end,” City Council passed four orders at a meeting Monday night that would provide an additional $193,308 to the city’s Highway Snow and Ice account. The fund transfers that passed included moving $39,308 from the Mayor’s Unclassified Termination Leave account, $50,000 from Debt Service Temporary Interest account, $44,000 from the Mayor’s Unclassified account, and $60,000 from Various Insurance accounts. The motions, which Councilor Ron Cormier made, were attempts to fill the substantial deficit left over from the most expensive winter in the city’s history. “We are still paying for the winter that would never end,” said Mr. Cormier. “We still have a deficit of $535,040, and this is one of several transfers we will make tonight that will be attempting to reduce that deficit.” Mayor Mark Hawke said that although the transferring of funds into the account is going to reduce the debt considerably, there is still a long way to go before the account will be at even. “We still have a $340,000 debt and we are looking to carry over about $100,000 into next year and in July we are hoping to come up with the bulk of those funds to cover the remaining deficit,” said Mr. Hawke. “It was a huge snow and ice year and it was really crippling.” According to Mr. Hawke, in order to receive additional state aide toward the removal of snow and ice, the city will have to suffer several hard winters consecutively. “This was one of the worst winters we’ve ever had, and it was by far the most expensive we have ever had, and if we have another one like it we may be able to expect some aid from the state,” said Mr. Hawke. “It usually takes two consecutive bad winters before we can expect that help.” oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 3 on 6/17/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 143)