FT residents may have slippery months ahead

(by Heather Taylor, Staff Writer - February 11, 2009)

Franklin Township residents could be in for a slippery ride if the remainder of the winter season brings more snow.

Road Department and Building Maintenance Supervisor Jim Stevens said the township’s stockpile of road salt is getting low, but both the county and the township’s salt supplier have cut off any salt supplies.

Stevens said the township received 123 tons of salt to cover the entire winter season but because of the recent snow events, there are only 20 tons left to the township through Franklin County and 16 tons left in the township’s salt barn.

Stevens said the salt supplier for most government entities, Cargil, is not willing to sell the township anymore salt.

“I checked to see if we could get a little salt, their answer was no. The reason was they already got locked up in state bids,” he said.

Stevens said Cargil based the 123 tons they did receive on last year’s salt purchases and then did a 20 percent reduction in the amount Cargil would supply. The county will not take bids on salt until May 15 at the earliest.

“We could realistically run out of salt and that wouldn’t be good,” said Stevens.

Trustee Chairman Tim Guyton said the situation is really frustrating to grapple with.

“What’s killing us is these little events. That snow event we had in March (of last year), that’s when everyone went out and stockpiled and caused this situation. We’ve been out a lot this year, a lot more than in the past,” said Guyton.

Stevens said he has tried to contact other townships and entities to see if any are willing to sell any of their stock with no takers.

“I’ve been checking and calling in every favor I could,” said Stevens.

Trustees said if it came down to it, the township could use sand as an alternative to rock salt but they were hesitant to do that because sand can clog up drains.

Stevens says he is not sure if the 36 tons the township has will last through the rest of the snow season.

“I hope. I got my finger crossed,” said Stevens
 

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