Town Still Waiting on Snow Bills

The bills from this winter's snow removal work have piled up about as high as the snow totals themselves and Mayor Jason McCoy said he is hopeful that the town's insurance carrier will help pay the freight for damaged buildings.

But, just in case the town is left short on all its expenses, he is keeping one drastic measure simmering on the back burner.

"There could be a brief layoff,'' McCoy said on Tuesday. When asked to elaborate, McCoy threw out a number of four days, and mentioned the Department of Public Works as a candidate.

McCoy said the possibility has nothing to do with ongoing contract negotiations and all to do with economics.

"I am hopeful insurance will pay for the damage to our buildings, but we have to pay these bills if it doesn't,'' he said.

Snow totals surpassed 80 inches in north central Connecticut for the 2010-11 winter season and it cost the town about $260,000, about $170,000 more than what is budgeted.

The weight of the snow on the roofs of municipal buildings took its toll to the tune of more than $350,000, McCoy said. So far, about $100,000 has been recouped from Travelers, the town's insurance carrier, but town officials are still waiting for the rest, McCoy said.

Every school building except the middle school had enough accumulated weight on its roof to reach the danger zone, McCoy said.

The mayor said no decisions will be made until a final settlement is rendered by the insurance company.

The undesignated fund balance totals about $10 million, McCoy said.