By JONATHON DAWE
Statesman Staff Writer
As the year ends, and winter rapidly approaches, weather prognosticators can't seem to agree on what the season will be like. Despite the outcome, though, the city of Dexter is prepared for a bad one.
According to Dexter Streets and Sanitation Department Head Jeff Myers, the city is better prepared than it has been in a long time.
"The cost of salt has more than doubled since last year; but, we've got about 75 tons right now," Myers said. "We're in a lot better shape than some other towns."
Myers credits his department's readiness with looking ahead during the warmer months.
"Back in the spring, I started calling around and looking for what I could get," Myers explained. "We ended up getting about 50 tons of salt -- two truckloads -- from Texas at a reduced cost."
In addition to the surplus of salt, Myers went on to explain that the city also has a good amount of cinder, which it obtained from Noranda. Cinder is commonly used to cover road surfaces and provide traction for vehicles on slick surfaces.
"We also have a second spreader-bed truck," Myers remarked. "That's going to really help. If we have any bad winter weather, we'll be able to run two trucks at once. We didn't have that last year."
Myers said that the last winter kept the street department busy as it worked to clear roads of both ice and snow.
"I would say we definitely learned from last year," Myers remarked.
Although the city will be able to clear roadways more efficiently, Myers said area motorists need to keep certain things in mind.
"I would say the number one problem that I see is, people need to slow down in (winter weather)," Myers explained. "They need to drive slower and they need to leave more distance between themselves and the vehicle in front of them. Just slow down and give yourself more time."
Myers said Dexter residents also need to learn what the snow routes are in town.
"All the snow routes are marked," Myers said. "And, if the weather is really bad, we'll stay on top of the snow routes more than anything. We'll always clear them first."
Although the city has a surplus of salt (approximately 25 more tons than it had last year), Myers said they plan to be as frugal with its use as possible.
"That's the thing, when you're battling mother nature -- you don't always know what's going to happen," Myers commented. "We can't just run out and put down salt as soon as something gets forecast. We have to pay really close attention to what's going on. There might be a forecast of snow and then it turns into rain. We can't just run out and put salt down and have it washed out by the rain."
In addition to city streets, Myers said the department tries to assist with clearing the public schools, and the Dexter Airport.
"That can eat up some time, too, if there's a lot of snow," Myers remarked. "It can be a lot of work at the airport."
Myers explained that each salt-brine truck can hold approximately 3,000 gallons of solution; and, it only takes a few hours to fill each truck.
"We're going to be prepared," Myers advised. "I'm glad we have what we do, because some towns are really going to be struggling this year. We always try to save the city tax dollars; but, over the cost of saving money, our top priority is the citizens, and keeping them safe."