It’s been a half-million-dollar winter so far in St. Mary’s County. That has been the cost of the snow removal effort – and that doesn’t count the snow that is falling today (Wednesday).It’s only the third time in 30 years that the cost has been more than a half-million dollars.
St. Mary’s County Director of Public Works and Transportation George Erichsen gave the report to the county commissioners on Tuesday even as the snow started to fall again. The commissioners approved the transfer of $506,000 from the Commissioners’ Emergency Appropriations to his department’s snow removal operations.
Erichsen said the cost was to mobilize the county’s 41 contractors in addition to his department 17 trucks. Erichsen said there was considerable amount of overtime generated in his department because his trucks had to be mobilized on several occasions this winter in the middle of the night, as has also occurred in the current snow storm.
Erichsen was asked if he felt there was enough money now in his budget for snow removal. He said he believed so although observers could not tell whether he had his fingers crossed when giving his answer.
Several of the commissioners praised the work done by Erichsen’s department. Commissioner Cynthia Jones (R: 1st) said she had received one complaint but when it was investigated it turned out not to be the county’s fault.
Richard Tarr, the county’s Highways manager, said the winter’s smooth operation was due to the departments’ employees’ dedication. They often work long hours during storms only to have to turn around with a few hours’ sleep and start over again.
