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It Costs NYC $1.8 Million To Remove An Inch Of Snow
By
Lauren Evans
Published Jan 29, 2015
Modified Jan 29, 2015
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Noel Y. C./flickr
By
Lauren Evans
Published Jan 29, 2015
Modified Jan 29, 2015
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It costs a lot of money to ensure that the streets and roadways are cleared of snow in time for you to wake up and bitch about going to work in the snow. A new study [PDF] from the comptroller's office reveals, in fact, that just one inch of snow removal costs roughly $1.8 million.
While the amount of snow that falls obviously fluctuates from year to year, the most cost-effective seasons aren't necessarily the driest. Predicted heavy snowfall (ahem) necessitates extra preparation, even when the forecasted weather doesn't come to fruition. "For example, a snow forecast may prompt pre‐salting and the mobilization of DSNY ice and snow removal crews and equipment, but the anticipated snowfall may not actually materialize," the report explains. The most fiscally-sound winters are, in fact, the ones with a moderate amount of snow.
Despite this, there are other explanations for the high cost of snow removal. True to form, the Post suspects an overtime conspiracy on the part of private plow operators.
“We all assume this was an overtime scam that was happening everywhere [in the city]," one Upper East Side resident told the tabloid. "The guys had to actually plow to get the overtime, even though there was no snow, because that’s what the OT was authorized for. It was getting me incensed last night. This is insanity. Obviously they were running up the bill." Obviously.
Tagged
department of sanitation
scott stringer
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Lauren Evans
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