The City of St. John’s spent more than $7 million on private snowclearing contracts in February, the snowiest month on record in the metro area.
The cost is on par with similar contracts issued in the wake of Snowmageddon six years ago.
The city does have a reserve or contingency fund for snowclearing needs over and above normal operations.
And Mayor Danny Breen says while that fund is not exhausted, it’s getting there.
The city let contracts last week totaling $3.5 million, but they had to be extended, pushing the cost past the $7-million mark for the month.
Deputy Manager of Public Works Lynnann Winsor and Mayor Danny Breen (VOCM News)
“Looking at different areas, the first three contracts were in Southlands, Kenmount Terrace and Airport Heights for a total of $3.5 million,” said Breen. “Since then we’ve also issued other contracts at various locations around the city and that’s been roughly around another $3.5 million-$4 million.”
Breen said it’s not so much the amount of snow that causes problems, but getting hit by back-to-back storms.
Meanwhile, he said the city didn’t need to dump snow in the harbour afterall, after seeking and eventually getting approval from the feds.
Breen noted contractors are required to already have their own sites for dumping snow, which provided other options.
