The FACTS about the Town of Alma and the Allegany County
Snow and Ice Contract...
The Town of Alma has always had a great working relationship
with Allegany County. This goes back for decades and if one or the other has
needed anything, we have always worked together. For all of my time here as
Highway Superintendent, and for the time of my predecessors, we have always
signed the Allegany County Snow and Ice Contract. It has worked well for both
the Town and the County by putting more money into the Town of Alma and keeping
costs down for the County. Alma cannot be compared to other towns like
Wellsville because our policy for roads is different. Wellsville has a budget
of over one million dollars and with this much money, their Superintendent is
able to have his workers out more often so they use more resources. Alma’s
budget is less than half of that and we keep our roads as clear as possible
depending on what the weather throws at us.
Here is a breakdown of the costs and revenue from the Snow
and Ice Contract:
2019 $61,203 (2020 $63,420.50)
In 2019 we did a complete change of the cutting edge on the
front plow one (1) time during the contracted months. This cutting edge is
double-sided and was flipped over before needing to be replaced.
•Shoes, Edge, Carbides, Bolts, Nuts, Washer
•Total $1,017.00
In 2019 we did a complete change of the wing cutting edge
two (2) times during the contracted months. This cutting edge is double-sided
and was flipped over before needing to be replaced.
•Shoes, Edges, Rubbers, Bolts, Nuts
•Total $1,508.80
Fuel for the County Road run that also consists of five (5)
town roads.
•$1.90 per gallon (February Pricing)
•4.1 miles to the gallon
•35.48 miles round trip
•104 trips in 2018/2019 (Contracted Months)
•Total $1,719.12
One man’s approximate wages for the length of the Contract
(including all benefits)
•$22,000
Math with the actual numbers:
$63,420.50 - $1,017.00 - $1,508.80 - $1,719.12 - $22,000 =
$37,175.58 (profit)
The Alma Highway Department has always been available 24/7
to clear the way for the Emergency Services and when the town is doing the
county roads there is open communication due to some members of the Highway
Department being in Emergency Services. This changes, in a way, if the County
starts doing the run because at this time if there is an emergency, people are
able to call me directly and we have always been able to respond. If the County
takes over the run there are extra steps and possible delays.
We have to travel County Roads 18, 29, and 38 to get to five
(5) of our roads which costs money but with the County Contract we are paid to
drive on these roads and it puts money into the Town of Alma Highway
Department. It just doesn’t make sense to refuse the contract.
