Salt nightmares keeping public works director up at night
Scott Shirley was hoping for a long list of companies interested in supplying road salt for the village this winter. But when the bids came in on Aug. 28 the envelope was empty.
Last year the village bought 7,000 tons of salt for $41 a ton. This year, salt will cost about $132 a ton and looks like the village is going to have to pay it - assuming they can get it. Thanks to last winter, spring floods and a general sense of panic, there's a major salt shortage sweeping the state.
The village joins about 132 agencies in Northern Cook, Lake, McHenry and Boone counties who have no salt contract, according to a village memo. Even the state of Illinois is without a salt contract.
"I've had dreams about this, mayor," said Shirley, director of public works, at Monday's committee meeting. "That's how bad it is."
Tuns out the village burned a bridge with their current salt supplier, Cargill Salt. Last year, the village deducted $154,798 from Cargill's bill because some deliveries were late. Now Cargill won't return village officials' calls.
To get through at least January, the village will probably join the state contract, if it gets one, and buy 2,000 tons of salt for $132 a ton.
The 2009 budget has $233,200 earmarked for salt. At $132 a ton, this will buy about 1,766 tons. Last year the village used 12,569 tons of salt.
Trustee Bert Rosenberg said maybe village officials should cut back on salt usage.
"People may have to get used to something less," he said. "...maybe we do 80 percent or three-quarters of what we did last year. We have to draw the line somewhere."
Trustee Helen Jensen said when it comes to village services, salting the roads is sacred.
"I'd like you to be on the other end of the phone when a resident calls after he or she slides out of their driveway," Jensen said.
Tailgate times three: Come Sunday, it's probable the Bears, the Cubs and the Sox will all be in first place, which calls for a major party. The Dollars for Scholars fundraiser will start at 11:30 a.m. at Trackside Restaurant, at Euclid and Wilke. Sports fans will be able to watch all three Chicago teams play on several big screen TV, plus participate in a baggo tournament, drawings, pools, giveaways and a cash bar. The cost is $60 for adults and $30 for kids under 18, at the door. Make checks payable to Arlington Heights Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 1223, Arlington Heights, IL 60006.