According to City Manager Jay Ash, the overnight snowstorm will prove costly regardless of how much snow falls. The city’s snow removal budget was depleted following a storm approximately two weeks prior, with $95,000 already spent this winter. Ash projected that removing snow from the current storm could cost as much as $50,000 in the worst case. “Money comes from the annual budget, supported by property taxes and local aid. On occasion, the State will send additional funds back to the cities and towns when big snow storms hit. That hasn’t happened this year and is not anticipated for this storm,” Ash said. In recent years, Chelsea has strengthened its snow emergency response system. The city installed eight new flashing blue lights at key points throughout the community to better alert residents when a snow emergency is declared. These lights were used operationally for the first time Wednesday morning. According to Ash, 14 of these lights are now positioned around Chelsea. The city has also implemented a reverse 911 calling system to warn residents before a snow emergency takes effect. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, these calls were dispatched, Ash noted. Residents along designated snow emergency routes received priority in the notification effort. Once the snow emergency was officially declared, all Chamber of Commerce members received direct email notification as well. “This was a first,” said Ash. “It allowed businesspeople to figure out exactly how to respond to the business situation which, of course, is affected by the parking ban,” he added. The city further disseminated information through Channel 15, broadcasting directly from city hall where officials maintain editorial control. The snow emergency announcement also appeared on the City of Chelsea website.
City activates forces to fight effects of snow storm
