Town keeps close eye on new plowing contract

Posted: Jan. 17, 2012

Town of Mukwonago - Thursday was the first day that winter fully showed its snowy face in the midst of a mild season, something that some Town Board members haven't yet decided is a good thing or bad thing.

Having spent nearly three-quarters of a million dollars in just one year for snow removal just a few years ago, the town cut back on its plowing last year and has agreed to a different type of snow contract for the 2011-12 snow season to prevent such expense in the future.

A new contract

After reviewing three snow contract bids last fall, the town agreed on an 11-month contract with Jacobson Grading Co. of the Town of Waukesha. Previously, the town contracted for snow removal on an hourly basis, but this time went with a lump sum contract for $250,000 for up to 55 inches of snow. Average annual snowfall is about 53 or 54 inches, according to board members.

The contract price includes unlimited ice control for weather events producing up to 2 inches of accumulated snow, and snow plowing when accumulation exceeds 2 inches or when conditions require plowing (during blowing, drifting, wet snow, etc.) If the season's total snowfall exceeds 55 inches, services would be charged on an hourly basis. All 75 miles of town roads are included in the contract.

The contract states that Jacobson will monitor weather conditions and determine when crews should be out. Additionally, crews will automatically be dispatched to town roads when the Waukesha County Highway Department has equipment in the area, or upon request of Public Works Foreman Rick Peterson or a law-enforcement agency. Further, snowfall measurements will be taken by Weather Works LLC, a third party paid for at Jacobson's sole expense. "In the past, (the town's) plowing was so expensive, so I gave them an alternative," said Eric Jacobson, owner of Jacobson Grading.

"There were several years where we went way over budget," said Town Supervisor Tom Stefanowski. "We just felt it would be worth a try."

Town Clerk Kathy Karalewitz explained that with a lump sum contract there would be no surprises.

"I think it was something comfortable that everyone felt comfortable with," she said.

Karalewitz added that with an hourly contract town officials often battle whether snow control crews should be dispatched because of the incurred expense.

"Last year we didn't plow as much," said Town Chairman Dave Dubey. "We knew we wanted to be able to plow more."

Dubey explained that this year's contract is a trial of sorts so the town can see how well it works.

"So far we're satisfied with the job Jacobson is doing," he said, though he added that it's too soon to tell" for sure.

Regardless of the vendor, Supervisor Lyle Boucher said town officials are always watching snow removal in the town. He agreed that it's too soon to tell how well this type of contract will work for the town. "(But) I think that no matter who plows or how much you spend, someone will have a burr with that," he added.

Stefanowski reported getting positive feedback from residents about Jacobson's plowing and salting so far this year.

"I've had more positive reviews than negative reviews in the way it's been handled," he said. "Everybody seems to be happy."

Heavy expense

From the 2005-06 snow season until the 2010-11 season, the town contracted with Wolf Paving in Oconomowoc for snow control.

A few snow-laden winters, however, left the town in a financial jam. During the 2005-06 snow season, the town paid $195,894 for snow control. In 2006-07, the town paid $298,555. For the 2007-08 snow season, $628,441 was paid for snow removal. The peak of snow expense came in 2008-09 when the town spent $707,362 for snow control. The annual outlay dropped after that, with a total of $315,650 and $190,817 being spent for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 snow years, respectively.

Karalewitz said that in six years, the town spent an additional $110,000 in standby fees, a fee that the town has to pay in the event no snow falls.