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Article posted: 2/2/2013 8:00 AM

No snow is big savings for suburbs

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Arlington Heights Public Works Crew Chief Chuck Benson prepares to load salt into a salt truck at the Ridge Avenue facility.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

The salt pile at the Arlington Heights Public Works facility on Ridge Avenue.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

Hundreds of cars were stranded on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago on Feb. 2, 2011.

Associated Press

A snowplow in Rolling Meadows during the February 2011 blizzard.

JOE LEWNARD | Staff Photographer

Arlington Heights Public Works crew chief Chuck Benson loads salt into a salt truck at the Ridge Avenue facility.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

Arlington Heights Public Works crew chief Chuck Benson loads salt into a salt truck at the Ridge Avenue facility.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

Arlington Heights Public Works crew chief Chuck Benson prepares to load salt into a salt truck at the Ridge Avenue facility.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

Arlington Heights Public Works crew chief Chuck Benson loads salt into a salt truck at the Ridge Avenue facility.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

About this Article

Say what you want about the winter of 2012-13, but your town is saving a pile of money. With no major snowstorms, overtime for public works personnel has been nearly nonexistent and salt usage is way down. Naperville, Arlington Heights, Palatine, Vernon Hills -- all are saving. “They prepare for the worst and hope for the best,” Mark Fowler said about suburbs.