We were spoiled last year with hardly any snow during the entire winter season, but this year, a much different story. Just to add a little perspective, just Sunday, we saw nearly a foot of snow. Add another three feet of snow from the blizzard two weeks ago. That's how much we have seen just this month.
It’s all stressing resources and budgets all around Maine. It's become a weekend ritual here, firing up snowblowers, shoveling out from the snow, after breaking all-time records and we're still in the middle of winter.
Ryan O'Connell, one of countless Mainers digging out for the third time in as many weeks. A series of winter storms, have buried roads sending snow plows out in full force.
So far, the city of Portland has already exceeded its snow removal budget of one-point-one million dollars.
Nicole Clegg, city of Portland spokesperson: “The city's budget is over $200 million so when you look at one point one million maybe with an additional few hundred thousand dollars, you look at the totality of the budget and see ways to move around things to accommodate."
The Portland spokesperson Nicole Clegg says while the city may have saved money last winter. The moving saved doesn't carry over to this year’s budget. She says while the blizzard of 13 was bad news for snow removal costs, there may be a silver lining.
Nicole Clegg: "Because the blizzard was so historic, there is the possibility we might be able to access federal funds for emergency support, so we will be looking at that."
Bob Burns is the public works director in the town of Gorham, an area that's seen some of the heaviest snowfall totals so far this year and while they still have money to pay for snow removal budget Resources are getting thinner.
Bob Burns: "We have exceeded our overtime hours that we committed each year... But we are still ok with salt and sand."
And while the clean-up continues many are hoping a series of snowstorms doesn't.
Related Stories
- More Local News
- National News
- International News
- Maine fugitive with loose lips arrested in Conn.
- Search for missing Maine teen focuses on pickup
- NYC man's DNA not on gun used in Maine killing
- Maine State House tension grows over budget
- 4 Maine community colleges hold commencements
- EMS memorial to go up in Maine
- Busy weekend for college commencements in Maine
- Maine's unemployment rate dips below 7 percent
- Sen. Angus King surveys fire damage in Lewiston
- Body recovered following fire in Maine
Pump Patrol Gas Card Giveaway
Enter for a chance to win a $100 Irving Oil Gift card!
No Text Zone
Help make our roads safe and you could win prizes!
WGME Top Stories
Business News
Gauge of US economy's future health up in April
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A measure of the U.S. economy's future health rose in solidly in April, buoyed by a sharp rise in applications to build new homes and apartments.
Consumer Info
BC-US--Dow Record-Three Personal Stories, 1st Ld-Writethru,1173
Dow Record: Three tales of ups, downs and changes
AP Photo FX102, FX103
Eds: With BC-US--Dow Record. Adds photos.
By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- When the Dow first crossed 14,000, investors were overjoyed. ...
Entertainment News
Get This
ON THIN ICE?
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- He was already on thin ice with the law when he failed to meet the conditions of his probation.
Science/Tech News
IN THE NEWS: LABOR GROUP SAYS CONDITIONS AT APPLE PLANTS IMPROVING
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A labor group Apple joined to assess working conditions at three manufacturing plants in China, where its products are made, says conditions are getting better.

