Since December 1, Coastal Maine has seen a total of 35.7 inches of snow. That’s nine inches more than normal, according to the National Weather Service in Gray. How has all that extra snowfall affected the town snow removal budgets?

Boothbay Region

Boothbay's public works department has gone through about half of its salt supply normally used in a season, and three-quarters of the sand usually used, according to Public Works Foreman Mike Alley. The Public Works crew has put in more time plowing, but the total costs of labor and overtime have not as yet been calculated by either Alley or Town Manager Jim Chaousis. They said they would keep an eye on the bottom line and try not to exceed the budget.

“We usually get peaks and valleys in winters,” Chaousis said, describing the volatile weather patterns so far this winter. “We're just getting our peak a little bit earlier this year.”

Boothbay Harbor has gone through just over 57 percent of its winter operations budget (or $61,126) according to town Finance Officer Julia Latter. Of that budget, approximately $30,000 of it has been spent of salt and sand, leaving an additional $30,000 available to purchase more if necessary. According to the town, while they may need to purchase additional sand, they should have enough salt to last the winter.

“We're sitting pretty good on supplies right now,” Boothbay Harbor Town Manager Tom Woodin said. “(Public Works Director) Jody (Lewis) tends to stay under budget year after year.”

Southport does not anticipate a lack of sand, salt or budgeted money for its public works this season, according to selectmen Mary Lou Koskela, Gerry Gamage and Smith Climo.

Wiscasset Region

Wiscasset's new road commissioner, Doug Fowler, wasn't sure how much of that town's sand and salt supply had been used as of January 9, but knew it was more than normal at this point in the season.

“It's more than I thought we would have used by now,” Fowler said.

Some towns, like Dresden, Edgecomb, Woolwich, Westport Island and Alna do not have their own public works crews, and have contracts with plowing companies, which has insulated them from the effects of early storms this season. All these towns purchase their own salt and sand supplies, with the sole exception of Woolwich. Their three contractors must buy their own supplies.

Damariscotta, Nobleboro and Newcastle have a plowing contract with Hagar Enterprises. But, even private companies can feel the effects of the weather, as Hagar did late in 2013 with the back-to-back storms, Seth Hagar said. "I can tell you that we are ready for the second half of the winter," he said. "We appreciate the opportunity to work  for all the citizens of each community."

Edgecomb has already replenished its supplies of sand and salt this year, but that is normal for them and is covered in the budget. The replenishment did take place earlier this year, however.

“It's an indicator that we might go over (budget),” Edgecomb Selectman Stuart Smith said. “In that case, the board would have to call a town vote for money to restock the supply, even if it's proposed to come from surplus funds.”

Alna Road Commissioner Jeff Verney said the town has gone through a little more than half its sand and salt supply.

“Maybe we just had a bad spell and there won't be another storm for two or three weeks,” he said. “We contract out our winter road maintenance to three different contractors who are responsible for certain areas of town,” said Lynette Eastman, town manager of Woolwich. “The contracts require the contractors to purchase their own sand and salt and pay for their own employees, including any overtime they may work, so the bottom line is that the town is not affected by the storms and their timing as a whole because we pay a contracted amount.”

Westport Island's road commissioner Garry Cromwell estimated about two-thirds of that town's salt and sand supplies are gone. He may need to restock, but believes there's enough budgeted to cover it.