by Amanda Harnocz
Reporter
Tallmadge -- The start of spring March 20 will hopefully mark the halt of snowy precipitation, but the city is still discussing options for the free senior snow removal program.
According to Public Service Director Dave Kline, there have been four, 4-inch snow emergencies in Tallmadge since the free program started Jan. 1.
"This was a fluke," he said, adding, that this many snow emergencies in a season are not typical.
Kline said the program didn't initially go out for bid because city officials anticipated approximately 150 residents would apply for the service, which was estimated to cost under the $20,000 appropriated for the program.
However, with about 530 homes signed up for free snow removal during snow emergencies, it has currently cost $20,132 for the four events, according to Kline. The cost is $132 over the amount which was appropriated from a federal grant to originally be used until December.
According to Kline, the city will need to go out for bids for the service for the next winter season.
Additional money for the snow program is currently being covered by the city's service department budget.
When projects are estimated to cost more than $25,000, the city must get approval from City Council and go out for the lowest and most responsible bidder for the project.
However, since the federal grant money has been used already, Council may need to reconvene and make an emergency vote if a snow emergency should happen in spring.
"Four inches of snow in April would be an act of God," Councilmember Linda Poinar said, but she and the rest of Council said they are ready to vote on emergency legislation during its spring break if 4 inches falls in Tallmadge before the next snow season. Council is not scheduled to meet again until April 7.
Originally, the contract for the service was to last through 2008, which would include the next snow season. Since the city's estimates were far off, Kline is restructuring the program and plans to end the contract at the end of this snow season and start a new one at the beginning of this year's next snow season.
"We'll brainstorm after this season is over and figure out exactly the best way to handle it," he said.
Some changes to be discussed with Mayor Christopher Grimm are whether to plow gravel driveways, if the program will only be offered to low-income residents and possibly raising the age requirement to older than 65, according to Kline.
Kline also said the city will pay closer attention to verifying that those requesting the service do not have any "able-bodied" individuals living at the residence.
Kline said the city's plan is to get the bid documents together for contractors in July and have residents re-apply in August and September.
"This will give the contractors time to organize," he said.
The current program divides the city into wards and each ward is assigned one of the five contractors. Kline said he plans to use the city's snow map to divide the city up for contractors for the next snow season.
The next program will begin in November and end by April, according to Kline.
Sidebar
Stow's snow removal program
According to Stow's Service Director Dano Koehler, Tallmadge's free snow removal program is similar to Stow's, with only a few differences.
Koehler said the eligibility requirements are the same for the program, but Stow has about 360 residents signed up for the program and approximately $44,000 appropriated from the general fund for the service.
The program has been utilized four or five times, he said, adding the contractors are sent out once in a 24-hour period after a 4-inch snow event.
Stow residents must sign up for the program every year and the contract lasts an entire snow season, according to Koehler.
Another difference is that the city has one contractor hired to clear the driveways in the city's six wards.
Like Tallmadge Public Service Director Dave Kline, Koehler is in the process of reworking the program to make it more efficient.
"This is the first year for the program," Koehler said, adding he will not do gravel driveways next year and wants to make sure residents who sign up for the program really need the service.
Another difference is the contractor in Stow will clear driveways and put the snow to the left of the driveway so when the streets are being cleared, the snow doesn't fall back into the driveway, he said.
Kline is in the process of restructuring Tallmadge's program to be better prepared for the next snow season.
E-mail: aharnocz@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-686-3911