Politics & Government

DPW Praised for Snow Removal

Department head recounts year in fighting weather.

Springfield Mayor Hugh Keffer recognized Department of Public Works employees for their efforts in removing snow.

At the Feb. 8 meeting of Springfield’s Township Committee, Public Works Department Supervisor Ken Homlish accepting a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the department. Later in the meeting, during his regular report to the Committee, Homlish outlined the challenges the department faced this winter clearing the roads and public spaces after severe storms.

To fight the storm, the public works department had to not only outfit employees that were new to the department, but also enlist Parks and Recreation employees.

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Homlish said the major snowstorms of the year were major challenges for the department, but indicated that the ice storm in early February presented the most urgent problem, saying had the storm continued longer than it had, the Township would have faced a crisis.

“Another two or three hours and we would have been shut down,” Homlish told the committee.

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In most years, the DPW ends the winter season with a surplus of salt they can apply to following year. This year, Homlish said, the store is nearly depleted, and his department was considering mixing the remaining salt with snow grit. Once the snow and ice melts, the department is faced with a new set of challenges, as they will need to clear the roads of debris dredged up by the storm.

HOmlish also said that Federal Emergency Management Agency would probably cover the township’s $51,000 for its overtime and salt costs.

“We usually get about 30 inches a year,” Homlish told the Committee. “We haven’t seen anything like this in a long time. “


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