Taxpayers Will Feel Effects Of Winter For Months To Come

The snowstorms of 2011 won't soon be forgotten – in part because Lynnfield taxpayers will still be paying for them next year.

 Appearing before the on Monday night, DPW Commissioner Dennis Roy reported that the town has spent about $495,000 on snow and ice removal this winter.

Storms Bring Other Related Costs

The extra snowy conditions have resulted in added costs such as shoveling the rooftops of town buildings. In fact, this cost alone could set the town back another $50,000, with Roy reporting that the combined space of the school rooftops amounts to about three acres of space to be cleared. The coming of spring will also bring pothole repair costs, he added.

The selectmen approved an extra $250,000 for the town's snow and ice removal budget, and Town Administrator William Gustus noted that some federal reimbursement is possible for some funds spent during weather emergencies.

Gustus also warned that the situation is getting to the point where the cost of this season's snow removal is getting to the point where it will have a significant impact on funding and revenues for fiscal year '12.

DPW Seeking Modest Budget Increase

Beyond snow and ice removal, Roy laid out some of his department's other budget needs, explaining that in total he is seeking an increase of about 2 percent. He noted that the DPW has saved money in some areas such as privatizing three bus driver positions and that higher fees for things like television pickups could be a possibility.