Snow removal in January and February cost the city of Havre de Grace $118,600 in general operating costs.

City Public Works Director Larry Parks presented a report on the costs during Monday’s city council meeting.

February’s double blizzards dumped nearly 40 inches of snow in the city. Parks’ report included light snow on Jan. 8 and Feb. 3, in addition to 5 inches of snow from Jan. 30-31.

The city used 90 tons of salt for both months and the salt bin had been fully restocked as of Feb. 23.

Twenty-eight employees worked during the snow events, with 13 to 14 employees on duty per 12-hour shift. More than 1,100 overtime hours were logged in January and February. Total costs for overtime for all storms totaled $36,500.

The city used 14 pieces of equipment, including one skid loader, one backhoe, two front-end loaders and 10 plows of various sizes.

The city also hired one contractor with heavy equipment for $4,600 to assist with snow removal.

Total materials cost for all storms was $5,900, while repair and replacements costs were $71,600.

Equipment failures included a backhoe damaged beyond reasonable repair.

Parks said backhoe equipment E3201 was destroyed in a collision with a manhole rim. The driver was injured but recovered within about a week.

E3201 is a 1998 model Case backhoe valued at $25,000 to $30,000 in its previous condition.

The repair estimate from a local Case dealer was $35,897.54. Mayor Wayne Dougherty authorized an emergency replacement for the unit, which is expected to arrive around April 1. The cost of the unit, after trade-in, is $64,500.

Other equipment failures included three truck transmissions that were repaired and the trucks returned to service. Three truck wheels also had to be replaced.

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