Vernon reviewing snow removal after massive storm

VERNON — Vernon Mayor Harry Shortway on Monday told the Township Council his office is conducting a review of snow removal procedures and preparations in response to criticism in the wake of this month's blizzard.
According to Shortway, the storm produced one of the largest snowfalls since 2005, reaching snowfall rates of up to 7 inches in four hours at one point. The township struggled to keep up with this storm due to reductions in both equipment and power size, he said.
In 2005, Shortway said the Department of Public Works had 25 drivers on its roster, a number which was down to 18 for the latest storm. Those cuts, he said, came as part of efforts to save taxpayer dollars in previous budgets. He cited a reduction of $803,000 in the fleet and street maintenance and salary budget between 2011 and 2015 by way of example.
Additionally, Shortway said the department had 12 F-550 trucks to clear the roads – two of those had blown engines prior to the storm, and another four went down during the blizzard he said. Further, the vehicles proved “unable to push the large amounts of snow and ice” that covered the roads during the blizzard, he said.
Looking ahead to try to avoid a repeat, Shortway said the Township is budgeting to buy heavier trucks in 2017 and will hire additional drivers. Additionally, Shortway indicated more snow plow and removal training will be implemented.
During Tuesday's meeting, the Township Council also shot down in a 3-2 vote a measure that would have raised liquor license fees.
Councilman Dick Wetzel said such a measure would have further burdened businesses eyeing a move to the Township and would “antagonize more people than it's going to help.”
The measure would have raised approximately $1,700 for the Township, Wetzel said.