A winter season that only dropped 2.7 inches of snow on the township has left Brick's coffers stuffed with an extra $300,000.
Barring a spring snow storm, the township will carry the balance to next fall. Then, next January – if the money has not been used in the event of a fall storm – the township council will have to decide what to do with any unused cash.
"We could take the money that we allocated toward snow removal and put that in the snow removal trust fund," said Business Administrator Scott Pezarras. "That would be my suggestion."
The township is now maintaining a special fund to be used in snow emergencies.
Pezarras said despite the lack of snowfall this winter, crews did dispense brine, salt and sand on township roads on a number of occasions. In all, the township spent $500,000 this winter, though a sizable portion of that amount was for stockpiles of brine and salt solution that can be saved until next winter.
"We stockpiled some salt so won't have to buy it again," Pezarras said.
If there's one bit of advice Pezarras could give to the township council, it would be to warn against spending the remainder of the money before the end of the year.
"Remember that one storm December 26?" he asked, referring to the .
I do agree with Scott about putting it away for a "snowy day", how ever I cant help but think the mayor has something already earmarked for the money.
and if thats true number, than just two snow storms would have put them in the red over a million dollars.......something doesnt add up , unless Pezzaras gambled and won this time......
That said, the snow removal trust fund is the best idea for the remaining money.
What happened to the money from the years of no big storms?
Or maybe we got 10,000 tons of rock salt sitting around somewhere since it only costs about $50/ton.
We had many snowstorms since 2004, in 2010 we actually went $1,019,000 over the approporaiated amount.
We are talking about monies from last year's budget. We are looking to transfer into the trust the monies that are not expended from that account and tose funds would be available in the event of a large scale storm. This year is not over, so we would not move or reduce any money from this years appropriation for snow removal. We still have the latter half of November and all December to worry about. If we have another December blizzard and we have the money in this account we could utilize that cash and not have to set up an emergency appropopriation.
On another note if you can answer, can I opra the payroll records? Going over this budget, the numbers do not seem right and since it is not line by line listing of each employee, I would like the records. (data universe does not list every employee there are many who have been omitted)
You can OPRA a copy of the roster for 2012, but overtime will not be reflected in that document. You have to go off historical budget expenditures for that figure. Also any grants or capital chargebacks (work that is capital in nature), or charges to escrow accounts will make these numbers appear skewed. You can call my office for further clairification. My number is 732-262-1050.
ineering firm for Brick for 15 years.