How Much Did the Blizzard Cost the Town?

Reading spent a lot of money on the blizzard of '13. The town needed to plow and salt the roads for three days and nights. The town has 100 miles of road and 46 miles of sidewalk, according to DPW Director Jeffrey T. Zager. The total amount spent on the blizzard was approximately $245,000.

According to Zager, the estimated cost of the storm, $245,000, includes all contractor plowing, hauling, DPW overtime, salt, fuel, and more. That figure also includes three nights of snow removal downtown and in adjacent areas.

The FY 13 snow and ice budget appropriation was $600,000. The DPW used $300,000 before the storm on "pre storm winter spending."

"Prior to this storm we had 12 events, nine were salting and sanding, two were plowing, and one was a nighttime downtown snow removal operation," Zager explained. "Well over half the $300,000 was spent on salt, the rest on overtime, contractors, and fuel."

As of Feb. 13, the new FY 13 snow and ice budget balance is $55,000.

"Please keep in mind these partial estimates, but definitely in the ballpark," Zager said.