MOUNT VERNON — The first significant snow of the season Thursday night tested the city’s switch to salt, instead of salt and sand, for snow removal, as well as having two people on duty in the street department at night.
Street Superintendent Dave Carpenter said they started plowing about 11 p.m. Thursday and “had things in pretty good shape by 4 a.m.” But then the snow came again. Carpenter said the main streets were cleared again in the morning and the rest of the streets would be done by 6 or 8 p.m.
“Then we’ll just have to see how much drifting we have.
Mayor Richard Mavis said the salt seemed to be providing a good melt, which Carpenter confirmed. Mavis added that the department had a “good plan” for the hills in the east end of town and they seemed to be in good shape by morning.
Carpenter said street clearing was also helped by the recent mild weather as the pavement was actually warmer than normal.
Carpenter reported the mild weather has also allowed the department to get ahead on its annual project of straightening sign posts and inspecting stop signs.
“We’ve done more than usual because of the mild weather. There’s just a few left to replace,” he said.
Mavis reported the city met this week with Ohio Department of Transportation District 5 officials to get updates on several projects.
He said ODOT expects to award contract on the Coshocton Road widening and safety projects about March 29. He said that means preliminary work, such as property acquisition, are on schedule and the projects will likely go out for bids in late February or early March.