HomeMy Public PortalAbout2019-03-12 Snow and Ice Removal 2019ToWN OF
WATERTOWN
Office of the Town Manager
Michael J. Driscoll
Town Manager
To: Honorable Town Council
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-972-6465
www.watertown-ma.gov
townmgr@watertown-ma.gov
From: Steven Magoon, Acting Town Manage
_r-A-
Date: March 7, 2019
RE: Resolution Approving Excess Expenditures for Snow and Ice Removal Pursuant to
Chapter 44, Section 31D, Massachusetts General Laws
Attached please find correspondence from Gerald S. Mee, Jr., Superintendent of Public Works
indicating that certain budgeted funds for snow and ice removal are/will soon be exhausted. A
report regarding current balances of the Fiscal Year 2019 Snow and Ice Removal Budget is attached
for your information and review. As we have several weeks of winter weather remaining it will be
necessary that additional appropriation authority be made available.
I am requesting that you act, by resolution, to authorize the provisions of Chapter 44, Section 3 1 D
of the Massachusetts General Laws, whereby the Town may incur liability and make expenditures
in excess of available appropriations for snow and ice removal for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Therefore, I respectfully request the attached Resolution be placed on the March 12, 2019 Town
Council Agenda for your consideration.
Thank you for your anticipated cooperation in this matter.
cc: Gerald S. Mee, Jr., Superintendent of Public Works
Thomas J. Tracy, Town Auditor/Asst. Town Manager of Finance
Earl L. Smith, Town Assessor
Marls R. Reich, Esquire, KP Law
Resolution R-2019-
Excess Expenditures for Snow and Ice Removal.
Whereas: The recent snow storm has caused a depletion of accounts for snow and ice removal creating an
emergency situation with respect to the Town's ability to finance the expected removal of snow and ice for the
remainder of the fiscal year; and
Whereas: The current appropriation for snow and ice removal equals or exceeds the appropriation for the said
purposes in the preceding fiscal year; and
Whereas: The Town Manager has approved the incurring of liability and making of expenditures in excess of
available appropriations for the current fiscal year and has requested that the Town Council approve the same.
Now therefore be it resolved: That pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 44 Section 31D of the Massachusetts
General Laws, the City known as the Town of Watertown may incur liability and make expenditures in excess
of available appropriations for snow and ice removal for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Be it further resolved: That a certified copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Town Auditor who shall
certify expenditures made under the authority of this resolution to the Board of Assessors for the inclusion in
the next annual tax rate.
Council Member
I hereby certify that at a regular meeting of the nine member Town Council for which a quorum was present,
the above resolution was adopted by a vote of for, against and present on March 12, 2019.
Clerk of the Council
Council President
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
124 ORCHARD STREET
WATERTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS 02472
Tel: 617-972-6420
Fax: 617-972-6402
TO: Michael J. Driscoll
Town Manager
FROM: Gerald S. Mee, Jr.
Superintendent
RE: Snow & Ice Balances
DATE: March 6, 2019
Sir,
I respectfully request that the applicable authorizations be approved to allow this department to
make expenditures in excess of available appropriations in order to continue providing snow
and ice emergency services to the community.
In total this season we have managed 20 separate snow and ice events totaling 33" of
accumulation —our area average is approximately 42". It is important to note that this season
has been extremely difficult. Our accumulation (outside of the storm of March 3rd) has come in
very small accumulations, ranging between 3/4" and 3 1/2". Some of these storms long duration
events, such as the storm of February18th, where we received 3'/2" of snow over 32 hours. On
February 6th, we experienced sleet and freezing rain which had a duration of over 9 hours.
Ultimately, the small accumulating, long duration storms have had a dramatic effect on our
operations, our staff and ultimately the budget. It is important to note that our snow and ice
operations are critical to public safety, protection of property from damage and personal injury. I
believe the department works very hard and has a very positive reputation for applying proper
snow and ice management techniques and managing the ever changing weather conditions.
Attached is a spreadsheet showing all of the snow and ice line items, anticipated costs and
current balances to date. Many of our vehicles have experienced breakdowns and repairs
during the winter with some of the related equipment replacement and repairs still being
completed and those costs have not been estimated or documented in the attached. We are
also continue to manage our salt delivery and will continue to resupply our salt reserve.
Thank you for consideration of this action.
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Ice Balances 2019 REVISED.doc
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