Posted by Sudbury Northern Life Reporter Bill Bradley
Pesky potholes are ravaging the vehicles of city residents, but that's not the only thing they're doing. The February city winter works budget has been derailed to the tune of $240,000 because of potholes.
City staff are presenting their February winter works operations financial update Wednesday at city council for the information of councillors.
"Miscellaneous winter roads maintenance activities, which is primarily pothole patching, is significantly over budget. As a result of pothole patching activities, this area is approximately $240,000 over budget year to date," stated the city staff report.
Above average snowfalls also had a negative effect on city winter works budgets.
"Similarly, snow removal in the month of February was over budget by approximately $120,000, and $260,000 to date, as a result of larger than normal snowfalls in December 2008 and February 2009."
Over all, the bad news for taxpayers and city managers is that winter control operations were over budget by $1.2 million for the month and year to date.
"This was a largely a result of excessive amount of snow received in February and the continued emphasis on pothole patching."
The report indicates that in February the amount of snow that fell was 84.1 cm vs a normal 30 year average of 48.9 cm. That amounts to a 172 per cent increase in snow.
The over expenditure was mostly due to sanding and salting expenses.
"This area was approximately $590,000 overspent for the month."
