City Taps Out $17.8 Million Budget for Snow Removal
Before this most recent storm had even started, the city had overspent its $ 17.8 million snow removal budget, with costs so far coming in at $ 18.1 million. However, that’s not to say the city can’t continue to clean up after snowstorms, according to the city’s chief financial officer, Meredith Weenick. Weenick said that the city’s $ 2.5 billion budget should be able to take on the extra costs of this year’s snow removal through surpluses in other areas. “It all falls to the bottom line,” Weenick said. “Over the course of the year, we watch the budget, and based on my projections, I feel confident that the known surpluses will cover the projected deficits, and even the potential for the next storm,” she said. The $ 18.1 million overall winter of 2013 total roughly breaks down into: $ 2.7 million spent before the Blizzard of 2013 $ 13 million spent on the blizzard itself, with $ 7 million on plowing and $ 5 million on snow removal $ 2.6 million on March 8th storm Weenick said that in terms of city spending on snow removal, the city views snow plowing a public safety issue. “We’re going to do our job on every storm, the ones that have passed and the ones that will come, because that’s an important service to the people of Boston,” she said. “We will accommodate whatever that requires within the means of our budget.” SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Boston Hearing to Add Public Water Taps on Thursday
How many times have you been around Boston and wanted a simple drink of water, but there wasn’t a water fountain in sight? Boston District 6 City Councilor Matt O’Malley would like to increase tap water access in public places including parks and open spaces. On Thursday, O’Malley will lead a city, neighborhood services and veterans affairs committee hearing about best practices, safety and new technologies of the delivery of tap water. The hearing is at City Hall at 11 a.m. on the 5th floor, and open to the public. “I think this is a no brainer for the city,” said O’Malley, who first called for a hearing last year on the idea. O’Malley said he’d like to have more bubblers, water fountains, water filling stations across the city to reduce the number of single use plastic bottles. Organizations such as the MWRA, DCR and Boston Water Sewer and Commission have been asked to testify at the hearing. So have running clubs such as the Parkway Running Club and the Forest Hills Runners. Health-conscious organizations such as the Boston Public Health Commission and Department of Public Health have also been invited to speak. O’Malley has also invited vendors such as Tapit to speak at the hearing. O’Malley said he’d like to see newly designed “tap station” that allow people to re-use their own containers in a clean and sanitary way. “We’re going to discuss the feasibility… and see where it would make sense to implement around the city,” said O’Malley. “And I want to see a pilot program soon.” SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch