Salt, sand, and fuel, in that order, and not personnel costs are the
major factors in pushing this year's expenditures so far this winter to
27.5% over the amount appropriated by the May 2008 annual town meeting.
At this time last year, the budget had been exceeded by 30.6%.

Selectmen at last night's meeting received this information in a report
from Highway Superintendent Tim Kilhart comparing this year's snow and
ice removal budget with last year's at the same time.

Winter road maintenance is the only budget expense that can exceed what
voters appropriated, as long as the town doesn't reduce the previous
year's appropriation.  State law allows the deficit to be added to the
next year's tax levy without town meeting knowledge or permission. In
Warwick, the deficit is printed on the budget voters get at town
meeting.  Last year's deficit was about $84,000 -- a dollar on the tax
rate. At this point in the year, the deficit stood at $20,000.

As of Feb. 4 this year, the deficit is about $18,000. Kilhart's figures
show that wages for employees and independent contractors are down about
$4,000 from last year. Some of this decrease reflects the fact that the
road crew has agreed to take compensatory time off instead of overtime
pay.

Kilhart reports that Diesel fuel costs increased by 84% this year, salt
went up 20.4%, and sand increased 6.7%.  Town meeting agreed last May to
a 3.5% increase in employee pay.

Comparing this year and last, Kilhart reports there have been 11 fewer
call-outs for sanding, 329 fewer tons of sand used, and 177 fewer tons
of salt used.

He notes the department has responded to calls for reduced use of salt
to protect private wells and adds, "I have resisted the urge to sand
roads more frequently to save money with the support of the Select
Board."

Kilhart supports the suggestion of Administrative Coordinator David
Young that next winter's snow and ice budget. to be voted upon at the
May town meeting, be increased from the long-standing rate of $66,600 to
$100,000 to better reflect actual costs.

Last winter's expense was approximately $150,000. 

Miryam Williamson reporting