To the editor:
Clintonville came through the first big snowstorm with flying colors thanks to a hard-working, creative street crew and the arrival of our new high-tech snow plow.
With a crew of just four, plus department manager Toby Kersten, the department took care of an estimated 9-plus inches of snow in record time. The department also employs two mechanics who service vehicles for all city equipment.) Next time you see a city truck go by, give them a thumbs up for the effort.
A few facts: Working 12- to 14-hour shifts and sometimes starting at 1:30 a.m., the crew using the newly arrived snow handling equipment put 188 miles on the new truck and applied just 4.9 tons of dry salt, as compared to the 12 yards they would have used without the new equipment. The new equipment applied gallons of salt brine with excellent results, according to Kersten.
The department was able to secure the used salt brine equipment for $3,000, as compared to a $40,000 cost for new equipment.
Now they plan to mix their own sand/salt mix and save the city $15 a yard.
New electronic equipment in the truck decides what concentration of salt to use. There are no piles of salt at intersections since dispensing stops when the truck is not moving.
All crew members are now being trained to operate the new equipment, so you may see two staff members in the truck for a period. Otherwise, it’s a one-person operation.
Thanks to these hard-working city employees for keeping our streets safe and accessible in record time.
Mary-Beth Kuester,
District 4 alderperson,
Clintonville
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