Nahant $50G over snow removal budget so far

NAHANT – The storms that have besieged the North Shore since January have town officials seeing red.Nahant Town Administrator Mark Cullinan said the town budgeted $20,000 for snow and ice removal for the season and to date it has spent $70,000.”It won’t keep us from plowing and doing our job,” he said. “They are doing a terrific job. It’s well worth it.”Unlike most area communities, Nahant does not hire contractors for snow and ice removal. Cullinan said it is all handled by the Department of Public Works. He said most of the money has been spent on overtime and purchasing salt.Cullinan said the town had to purchase a new sand spreader, which cost $12,000, and a new plow blade, which cost $8,000.”The old one was damaged beyond repair,” he said.Cullinan said he would ask Town Meeting to appropriate money from other accounts to cover snow and ice removal expenses. He added there could be funds available in a reserve account.Selectman Richard Lombard said he was impressed with the performance of all town employees during the recent storms. Lombard said Police Chief Robert Dwyer checked on the elderly in town, Fire Chief Edward Hyde was helping firefighters dig out hydrants and DPW Superintendent Tim Lowe was plowing streets.”It’s just outstanding,” he said.Cullinan gave the selectmen a brief overview of the preliminary FY’12 budget, which he said is balanced.Cullinan said the $10 million budget assumed a decrease in state aid and a 2.5 percent increase in property taxes. Based on the governor’s budget, Cullinan said he believes the town is looking at a decrease of $53,000 in state aid.”It will change with the House and Senate (budgets),” he said. “We’ll make adjustments as we go along.”In other business, Cullinan urged area residents to support the “Cupid Splash” on Feb. 12 at noon at the Ward Bath House on Long beach. The event is to raise money for Save the Harbor/Save the Bay programs. Cullinan said he would be going into the water along with Sen. Thomas McGee (D-Lynn). His fellow selectmen said they would be on the beach cheering him on.