By Dustin Ensinger
Staff Writer
Despite a higher than normal amount of snow this winter, the city of Reynoldsburg’s supply of road salt is not yet depleted.
According to Director of Public Service Nathan Burd, the city still has 400 to 500 tons of salt on hand, with more ordered and on the way.
“We are not by any stretch of the imagination in an emergency situation,” Burd said.
That amount of salt is enough to handle another major storm, Burd said.
The city has ordered 500 additional tons of salt. But due to high demand through large swaths of the country, those supplies will be received over several shipments.
Due to the large demand, Burd expects the price of road salt to increase significantly ahead of next winter season. In anticipation of that, he hopes to stock the city’s supply at the current price of $48 per ton.
“The demand for salt is higher than it’s been in decades, they’re telling us,” he said.
With three salt barns in addition to some outdoor storage space, the city has the capacity to store more than 3,000 tons of road salt.
City residents say the road salt has been put to good use. Norm Brusk lauded the city’s efforts to keep the streets clear and safe despite the recent heavy snowfalls.
So, too, did former councilwoman Monica DeBrock. However, she said the city could do a better job of enforcing its code when it comes to clean sidewalks. She said in recent says she has witnessed people walking in the roadway because sidewalks were impassable.
“It’s dangerous for the walkers. It’s dangerous for the drivers,” she said.
Burd said the city has sent notices to residents near schools and property owners in business districts reminding them that it is their responsibility to keep their sidewalks clear.
“We’re trying to educate residents,” he said.
Other Reynoldsburg news
Lori Schwartzkopf, a Columbus resident, informed city council that Reynoldsburg is now just one of two central Ohio cities that still have outright bans on pit bull dogs. The other is Bexley. Schwartzkopf has been working to change the law and Council President Doug Joseph announced an ad hoc committee to explore the issue will soon be formed.
